Methods for promoting plant health using free enzymes and microorganisms that overexpress enzymes

ABSTRACT

Methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are provided. Plant seeds coated with free enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes are also provided. Compositions comprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or a recombinant microorganism that overexpresses an enzyme are provided. Modified enzymes having ACC deaminase activity, recombinant microorganisms expressing the modified enzymes, plant seeds treated with the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms, and methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health using the modified enzymes or recombinant microorganisms are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/309,426, filed on Mar. 16, 2016, the entirety of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health usingfree enzymes or recombinant microorganisms that overexpress enzymes areprovided. Plant seeds treated with free enzymes or recombinantmicroorganisms that overexpress enzymes are also provided. Compositionscomprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or a recombinant microorganismthat overexpresses an enzyme are provided. Modified enzymes having ACCdeaminase activity, recombinant microorganisms expressing the modifiedenzymes, plant seeds treated with the modified enzymes or recombinantmicroorganisms, and methods for stimulating plant growth and/orpromoting plant health using the modified enzymes or recombinantmicroorganisms are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the zone surrounding a plant's roots is a region called therhizosphere. In the rhizosphere, bacteria, fungi, and other organismscompete for nutrients and for binding to the root structures of theplant. Both detrimental and beneficial bacteria and fungi can occupy therhizosphere. The bacteria, fungi, and the root system of the plant canall be influenced by the actions of enzymes in the rhizosphere.Augmentation of soil or treatment of plants with certain of theseenzymes would have beneficial effects on the overall populations ofbeneficial soil bacteria and fungi, create a healthier overall soilenvironment for plant growth, improve plant growth, and provide for theprotection of plants against certain bacterial and fungal pathogens. Theenvironment around the roots of a plant (the rhizosphere) is a uniquemixture of bacteria, fungi, nutrients, and roots that has differentqualities than that of native soil. The symbiotic relationship betweenthese organisms is unique, and could be altered for the better withinclusion of exogenous proteins.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for a method for effectivelydelivering enzymes and other proteins to plants. Furthermore, thereexists a need in the art for a enhancing the response of plants toenzymes and providing benefit to the grower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An enzyme is provided. The enzyme comprises an amino acid sequenceencoding an enzyme having 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase(ACC deaminase) activity and a signal peptide. The signal peptideresults in secretion of the enzyme when the enzyme is expressed in amicroorganism. Recombinant microorganisms that express the enzyme arealso provided. Formulations comprising the enzyme or the recombinantmicroorganism and an agriculturally acceptable carrier are alsoprovided. Plant seeds treated with the enzyme, the recombinantmicroorganism, or the formulation are also provided.

An enzyme having ACC deaminase activity is provided. The amino acidsequence of the enzyme comprises at least one amino acid substitutionrelative to the sequence of a wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACCdeaminase enzyme from a Bacillus genus bacterium. The amino acidsubstitution results in increased ACC deaminase activity as compared tothe ACC deaminase as compared to ACC deaminase activity of the wild-typeD-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACC deaminase enzyme under the sameconditions. Recombinant microorganisms that express the enzyme are alsoprovided. Formulations comprising the enzyme or the recombinantmicroorganism and an agriculturally acceptable carrier are alsoprovided. Plant seeds treated with the enzyme, the recombinantmicroorganism, or the formulation are also provided.

A method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health isprovided. The method comprises applying any of the enzymes having ACCdeaminase activity or a formulation comprising such an enzyme and anagriculturally acceptable carrier to a plant growth medium, a plant, aplant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying any of the recombinantmicroorganisms that express an enzyme having ACC deaminase activity or aformulation comprising such a recombinant microorganism and anagriculturally acceptable carrier to a plant growth medium, a plant, aplant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed.

Yet another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, alipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase,a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase, a non-cellulolyticglucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying two or more freeenzymes to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an areasurrounding a plant or a plant seed. The enzymes are independentlyselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a chitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, amannanase, a pectinase, a glucanase, and an ACC deaminase.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a glucanase. Applying theenzyme to the plant seed comprises: (a) applying the enzyme to the plantseed at the time of planting; or (b) coating the plant seed with theenzyme.

Yet another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a glucanase. The methodfurther comprises applying an expansin protein to the plant growthmedium, the plant, the plant seed, or the area surrounding a plant or aplant seed.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a phytase.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a fertilizer and afree enzyme to a plant growth medium, an area surrounding a plant or aplant seed, or to a plant or a plant seed. The free enzyme comprises aphytase.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a protease, aphytase, an acid phosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is expressed during vegetative growth of therecombinant microorganism.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, aphytase, an acid phosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof. The enzyme or expansin protein further comprises a signalpeptide that results in secretion of the enzyme or expansin protein.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a phytase, a mannanase, apectinase, an acid phosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not bound to the exosporium of arecombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of thesame kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a phytase, a mannanase, apectinase, an acid phosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not part of a fusion protein.

A treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with a freeenzyme. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, anon-cellulolytic glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof.

Another treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated withtwo or more free enzymes, wherein the enzymes are independently selectedfrom a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a protease, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, a glucanase, and an ACC deaminase.

A coated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with a freeenzyme. The enzyme comprises a glucanase.

A treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with a freeenzyme and an expansin protein. The enzyme comprises a glucanase.

A plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with a recombinantmicroorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses an enzyme or anexpansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme or expansin proteinis increased as compared to the expression level of the enzyme orexpansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind under thesame conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase,a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, a glucanase, aprotease, a phytase, a mannanase, a pectinase, an acid phosphatase, anACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzyme or expansinprotein is expressed during vegetative growth of the recombinantmicroorganism.

Another plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme isincreased as compared to the expression level of the enzyme or expansinprotein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind under the sameconditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, a glucanase, aprotease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, anACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzyme or expansinprotein further comprises a signal peptide that results in secretion ofthe enzyme or expansin protein.

Yet another plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, aglucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not bound to the exosporium of arecombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

Another plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, aglucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not part of a fusion protein.

A composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizer and anenzyme or an expansin protein. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, amannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase,a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof.

Another composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizerand a recombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expressesan enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, apectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase, a phytase, aglucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzymeor expansin protein is expressed during vegetative growth of therecombinant microorganism.

Yet another composition is provided. The composition comprises afertilizer and a recombinant microorganism. The recombinantmicroorganism expresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, whereinexpression of the enzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared tothe expression level of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-typemicroorganism of the same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme isselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acidphosphatase, a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinationsof any thereof. The enzyme or expansin protein further comprises asignal peptide that results in secretion of the enzyme or expansinprotein.

A further composition is provided. The composition comprises afertilizer and a recombinant microorganism. The recombinantmicroorganism expresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, whereinexpression of the enzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared tothe expression level of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-typemicroorganism of the same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme isselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acidphosphatase, a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinationsof any thereof. The enzyme or expansin protein is not bound to theexosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

Another composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizerand a recombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expressesan enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, apectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase, a phytase, aglucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzymeor expansin protein is not part of a fusion protein.

The features of the invention are further defined in the appended claimsand the list of embodiments provided below in the Section entitled“EMBODIMENTS.” Other objects and features will be in part apparent andin part pointed out hereinafter.

Definitions

When the articles “a,” “an,” “one,” “the,” and “said” are used herein,they mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless otherwise indicated.

The term “Bacillus cereus family member” as used herein refers to anyBacillus species that is capable of producing an exosporium. Thus, theBacillus cereus family of bacteria includes the species Bacillusanthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides,Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus samanii, Bacillus gaemokensis,Bacillus weihenstephensis, and Bacillus toyoiensis. Bacillus cereusfamily members are also referred to in the art as “Bacillus cereus sensolato.”

The terms “composition” and “formulation” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to a mixture of two or more chemical or biologicalsubstances (for example, a mixture of an enzyme and an agriculturallyacceptable carrier or a mixture of a recombinant microorganism and anagriculturally acceptable carrier).

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

The term “foliar” used herein with respect to the application of enzymesor recombinant microorganisms to plants means that the enzyme orrecombinant microorganism is applied to one or more aerial portions ofthe plant, including stems, leaves, fruits, flowers, or other exposedaerial portions of the plant.

The term “free enzyme” as used herein refers to an enzyme preparationthat is substantially free of intact cells. The term “free enzyme”includes, but is not limited to, crude cell extracts containing anenzyme, partially purified, substantially purified, or purified enzyme.Free enzymes can optionally be immobilized on a chemical matrix orsupport to allow for controlled release of the enzyme. Free enzymepreparations preferably do not include enzymes bound to exosporium of aBacillus cereus family member. Free enzymes also preferably do notinclude enzymes bound to exosporium of an intact Bacillus cereus familymember spore.

The term “fusion protein” as used herein refers to a protein having apolypeptide sequence that comprises sequences derived from two or moreseparate proteins. A fusion protein can be generated by joining togethera nucleic acid molecule that encodes all or part of a first polypeptidewith a nucleic acid molecule that encodes all or part of a secondpolypeptide to create a nucleic acid sequence which, when expressed,yields a single polypeptide having functional properties derived fromeach of the original proteins.

The term “germination rate” as used herein refers to the number of seedsthat germinate during a particular time period. For example, agermination rate of 85% indicates that 85 out of 100 seeds germinateduring a given time period.

The term “glucanase” as used herein refers to any enzyme that is capableof hydrolyzing a glycoside bond. The tern “non-cellulolytic glucanase”as used herein refers to any glucanase whose primary enzyme activity isnot directed to cellulose or cellulose subunits as a substrate. Anon-cellulolytic glucanase is preferably incapable of using cellulose asa substrate.

The term “immobilizing” as used herein in reference to immobilizing anenzyme on a matrix or support refers to the binding of the enzyme to thematrix or support such that the enzyme is maintained on the matrix orsupport or released from the support over a controlled period of time,instead of dissipating into the environment in an uncontrolled manner.

The terms “native sequence,” “native amino acid sequence,” “wild-typesequence,” and “wild-type amino acid sequence” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to an amino acid sequence as it exists in a naturallyoccurring protein.

The terms “overexpress” and “overexpression” as used herein in referenceto recombinant microorganisms mean that the recombinant microorganismhas been modified such that the recombinant microorganism expresses aprotein (e.g., an enzyme) at a level that is increased as compared tothe expression level of the same protein a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions.

A “plant growth medium” includes any material that is capable ofsupporting the growth of a plant.

The terms “promoting plant growth” and “stimulating plant growth” areused interchangeably herein, and refer to the ability to enhance orincrease at least one of the plant's height, weight, leaf size, rootsize, fruit size, or stem size, and/or the ability to increase proteinyield from the plant and/or to increase crop yield.

The term “promoting plant health” refers to any beneficial effect on thehealth of a plant, including but not limited to increased germinationrate, increased synchronous germination, decreased susceptibility to apathogen, decreased susceptibility to an environmental stress (e.g.,drought, flood, heat, freezing, salt, heavy metals, low pH, high pH, ora combination of any thereof), increased crop yield, increased rootnodulation, and increased nutrient uptake and/or nutrient content (e.g.,increased sugar uptake or sugar content or increased protein uptake orprotein content).

The term “rhizosphere” is used interchangeably with “root zone” todenote that segment of the soil that surrounds the roots of a plant andis influenced by them.

The term “partially purified” as used herein in reference to the enzymesmeans that a crude preparation of the enzyme (e.g., a cell lysate) hasbeen subjected to procedures that remove at least some non-enzymecomponents (e.g., waste proteins, dead cell material, excess water,and/or unwanted cell debris). In a partially purified enzymepreparation, the enzyme preferably comprises at least 1% of the totalprotein content in the preparation, more preferably at least 3% of thetotal protein content in the preparation, and even more preferablygreater than 5% of the total protein content in the preparation.

The term “substantially purified” as used herein in reference to theenzymes means that the enzyme preparation has been subjected toprocedures that remove a substantial amount of non-enzyme components(e.g., waste proteins, dead cell material, excess water, and/or unwantedcell debris). In a substantially purified enzyme preparation, the enzymepreferably comprises greater than 30% of the total protein content inthe preparation, more preferably greater than about 40% of the totalprotein content in the preparation, and even more preferably greaterthan 50% of the total protein content in the preparation.

The term “synergistically effective amount” as used herein refers anamount of a first substance (e.g., a first enzyme) that when used incombination with a second substance (e.g., a second enzyme) thatproduces a biological effect that is greater than the sum of thebiological effects of each of the respective first and second substanceswhen used alone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed methods stimulating plantgrowth and/or promoting plant health. The methods comprise applying freeenzymes, expansin proteins, or recombinant bacteria that overexpressenzymes to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an areasurrounding a plant seed. The present invention is also directed toseeds treated or coated with free enzymes or recombinant bacteria thatoverexpress enzymes. The present invention is also directed tocompositions comprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or recombinantbacteria that overexpress an enzyme. The use of free enzymes orrecombinant bacteria that overexpress enzymes for delivering enzymes toplants allows for short bursts of enzyme activity, which in turnprovides a safe, short-lived impact on the plant with limited residualmaterials remaining on harvestable plant material. Alternatively, insituations where a more prolonged effect is desired, the free enzymescan be immobilized on a matrix or support in order to provide controlledrelease of the enzymes.

I. Enzyme and Expansin Protein Sequences

For ease of reference, illustrative sequences for wild-type and modifiedACC deaminase enzymes, as well as sequences for the other enzymes andthe expansin proteins that can be used in connection with the methods,seeds, and compositions described herein, are provided below.

A. D-Cysteine Desulfhydrases and ACC Deaminases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative D-cysteinedesulfhydrase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCdeaminase) nucleotide sequences are provided in Table 1 below, togetherwith their SEQ ID NOs. Table 2 below provides the corresponding aminoacid sequences for the nucleotide sequences listed in Table 1. Asexplained in greater detail hereinbelow, mutation of certain amino acidsin a wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACC deaminase enzyme canresult in an enzyme having increased ACC deaminase activity as comparedto the ACC deaminase activity of the wild-type enzyme under the sameconditions.

In Table 1, SEQ ID NOs. 1-3 and 111 are nucleotide sequences forwild-type enzymes that exhibit both ACC deaminase and D-cysteinedesulfhydrase activity, and SEQ ID NOs. 4-6 and 112 are nucleotidesequences that code for corresponding versions of these enzymes havingtwo amino acid substitutions relative to the wild-type sequence thatresult in increased ACC deaminase activity. Thus, for example, SEQ IDNO: 1 provides the nucleotide sequence for a wild-type enzyme, and SEQID NO: 4 provides the nucleotide sequence for the same enzyme whereinthe nucleotide sequence has been altered to encode an enzyme having twoamino acid substitutions relative to the enzyme encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1.Similarly, SEQ ID NO: 2 provides the nucleotide sequence for a wild-typeenzyme, and SEQ ID NO: 5 provides the nucleotide sequence for the sameenzyme wherein the nucleotide sequence has been altered to encode anenzyme having two amino acid substitutions relative to the enzymeencoded by SEQ ID NO: 2. Likewise, SEQ ID NO: 3 is a wild-type sequenceand SEQ ID NO: 6 provides the corresponding altered sequence, and SEQ IDNO 111 is a wild-type sequence and SEQ ID NO: 112 provides thecorresponding altered sequence.

In Table 2, SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113 are amino acid sequences forwild-type enzymes that exhibit both ACC deaminase and D-cysteinedesulfhydrase activity, and SEQ ID NOs. 10-12 and 114 are amino acidsequences for the corresponding versions of these enzymes having twoamino acid substitutions relative to the wild-type sequence that resultin increased enzyme activity. Thus, SEQ ID NO: 7 is a wild-type sequenceand SEQ ID NO: 10 provides the amino acid sequence for the same enzymehaving the two amino acid substitutions relative to the wild-typesequence. SEQ ID NOs. 8 and 11, 9 and 12, and 113 and 114 are related toone another in the same manner. The substituted amino acids are shown inSEQ ID NOs. 10-12 and 114 in Table 2 in bold and underlined text.

TABLE 1 Nucleotide sequences for D-cysteine desulfhydrases and ACCdeaminases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme nucleotide sequence D-CysteineDesulfhydrase (ACC deaminase native 1b) 1 Wild-type, Bacillusthuringiensis D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase (ACC deaminase native 2b) 2Wild-type, Bacillus pseudomycoides D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase (ACCdeaminase native 3b) 3 Wild-type, Bacillus thuringiensis D-CysteineDesulfhydrase (ACC deaminase) 111 Wild-type, Bacillus thuringiensisstrain IS5056 D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase (ACC deaminase native 1b) 4 Withmutations, Bacillus thuringiensis D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase (ACCdeaminase native 2b) 5 With mutations, Bacillus pseudomycoidesD-Cysteine Desulfhydrase (ACC deaminase native 3b) 6 With mutations,Bacillus thuringiensis ACC deaminase (D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase) 112 Withmutations, Bacillus thuringiensis strain IS5056

TABLE 2Amino acid sequences for D-cysteine desulfhydrases and ACC deaminasesEnzyme (SEQ ID NO) Amino acid sequence D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEALGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 1b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAEAKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA Wild-typeVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus thuringiensisGADLMEEMHKVAKEVSEKGNTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC (SEQ ID NO: 7)AQEIMAQSFDQGIDFSTVVCVSGSAGMHAGLITGFAGTQSHIPVIGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFIPRDAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVYTGKAVAGLIDLIKKGTFNKEDNILFVHSGGSPALYANTSLFA D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNHFSEVLGGPSIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 2b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQAKGVDTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA Wild-typeVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus pseudomycoidesGTDLMDEMQKVAKEVTEKGHTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYIAC (SEQ ID NO: 8)AEEIMAQSFEQGIDFNAVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFYGRQTGIPIIGMNVSRGKAEQEEKVCKLVQETSAHVGIPNSIPREAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVYTGKAVAGLIDIIRKGTFKKEDNILFVHSGGSPALYANTSLFS D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEVLGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 3b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQAKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA Wild-typeVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus thuringiensisGADLMEEMHKVAKEVSEKGNTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC (SEQ ID NO: 9)AQEIMAQSFEQGIDFSSVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFAGTQSHIPVIGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFISRDAVTCFDQYVGPGYALPTQEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVYTGKAVAGLIDLIKKGTFNKEDNILFVHSGGSPALYANTSLFA D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEALGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQEKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA Bacillus thuringiensisVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKRDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN strain IS5056GADLMEEMNKVAKEVSEKGSTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC Wild-typeAQEIMAQSFEQGIDFSSVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFSGTQSHIPV (SEQ ID NO: 113)IGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFISRDAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVYTGKAVAGLIDLIRKGKFNKEDNILFVHSGGSPALYANTSLFA D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEALGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 1b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAEAKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA With mutationsVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus thuringiensisGADLMEEMHKVAKEVSEKGNTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC (SEQ ID NO: 10)AQEIMAQSFDQGIDFSTVVCVSGSAGMHAGLITGFAGTQSHIPVIGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFIPRDAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVY E GKAVAGLIDL IKKGTFNKEDNILFVH LGGSPALYANTSLFA D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNHFSEVLGGPSIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 2b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQAKGVDTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA With mutationsVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus pseudomycoidesGTDLMDEMQKVAKEVTEKGHTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYIAC (SEQ ID NO: 11)AEEIMAQSFEQGIDFNAVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFYGRQTGIPIIGMNVSRGKAEQEEKVCKLVQETSAHVGIPNSIPREAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVY E GKAVAGLIDI IRKGTFKKEDNILFVH LGGSPALYANTSLFS D-Cysteine DesulfhydraseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEVLGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (ACC deaminase native 3b)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQAKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA With mutationsVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKPDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN Bacillus thuringiensisGADLMEEMHKVAKEVSEKGNTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC (SEQ ID NO: 12)AQEIMAQSFEQGIDFSSVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFAGTQSHIPVIGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFISRDAVTCFDQYVGPGYALPTQEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVY E GKAVAGLIDLI KKGTFNKEDNILFVH LGGSPALYANTSLFA ACC deaminaseMNLAKFPRKKYTESYTPIEKLNNFSEALGGPTIYFKRDDLLGLT (D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase)AGGNKTRKLEFLVADAQEKGADTLITAGGIQSNHCRLTLAAA Bacillus thuringiensisVKEKMKCILVLEEGLEPEEKRDFNGNYFLYHLLGAENVIVVPN strain IS5056, withGADLMEEMNKVAKEVSEKGSTPYVIPVGGSNPTGAMGYVAC mutations)AQEIMAQSFEQGIDFSSVVCVSGSGGMHAGLITGFSGTQSHIPV (SEQ ID NO: 114)IGINVSRGKAEQEEKVAKLVDETSAHVGIPNFISRDAVTCFDEYVGPGYALPTPEMVEAVQLLAKTEGILLDPVY E GKAVAGLIDLI RKGKFNKEDNILFVH LGGSPALYANTSLFA

B. Phospholipases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative phospholipase aminoacid sequences are provided in Table 3 below, together with their SEQ IDNOs.

TABLE 3 Amino acid sequences for phospholipases SEQ ID NO. for Enzymeamino acid sequence Phospholipase 2, Bacillus thuringiensis 13Phospholipase C, Bacillus thuringiensis 14 Phospholipase C 15 (Zincdependent phospholipase C (alpha toxin)) Bacillus thuringiensis serovarisraelensis 4Q7 Phospholipase C ((nSMase) hydrolysis of 16 sphingomyelinto ceramide and phosphorylcholine) Bacillus thuringiensis serovarisraelensis 4Q7 Phospholipase C (Zinc dependent phospholipase C 17(alpha toxin)), Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987 Phospholipase C 18Clostridium perfringens str 13 (C. welchii) Type I PhospholipaseD,Streptomyces chromofuscus 19 Phosphatidylcholine-specificphospholipase C 115 Bacillus cereus Phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C116 Bacillus cereus Phospholipase D (PLD) Acidovorax avenae 117

The native amino acid sequences of the phospholipases of SEQ ID NOs. 13,14, and 15 include the signal peptide sequence MKKKVLALAAAITLVAPLQSVAFA(SEQ ID NO: 49) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediatelypreceding the first amino acid of SEQ ID NOs. 13, 14, and 15. Thissignal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NOs. 13, 14, or 15. However,the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 49, or another signal peptide, canoptionally be included at the amino-terminus of the phospholipases ofany of SEQ ID NOs. 13, 14, and 15, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 16includes the signal peptide MKGKLLKGVLSLGVGLGALYSGTSAQAE (SEQ ID NO: 50)at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 16. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 16. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 50, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thephospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 16, or at the amino-terminus of any of theother enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 17includes the signal peptide MKKKVLALAAAITVVAPLQSVAFA (SEQ ID NO: 51) atthe amino terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 17. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 17. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 51, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thephospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 17, or at the amino terminus of any of theother enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 18includes the signal peptide MKRKICKALICATLATSLWAGASTKVYAW (SEQ ID NO:52) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 18. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 18. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 52, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminusof the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 18, or at the amino-terminus of anyof the other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 19includes the signal peptide MLAGPLAAALPARATTGTPAFLHGVASGD (SEQ ID NO:53) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 19. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 19. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 53, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminusof the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 19, or at the amino-terminus of anyof the other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 115includes the signal peptide MKKKVLALAAAITLVAPLQNVAFA (SEQ ID NO: 135) atthe amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 115. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 115. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 135, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of thephospholipase of SEQ ID NO: 115, or at the amino-terminus of any of theother enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

C. Lipases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative lipase amino acidsequences are provided in Table 4 below, together with their SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 4 Amino acid sequences for lipases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Lipase 1 (4Q7 BG78_03400) 20 Bacillus thuringiensisserovar israelensis 4Q7 Lipase 2 (Bsub168 estA) 21 Bacillus subtilissubsp. subtilis str. 168 Lipase, Burkholderia cepacia 118 Lipase,Pseudomonas fluorescens 119 Lipase, Burkholderia stearothermophilus 120

The native amino acid sequence of the lipase of SEQ ID NO: 21 includesthe signal peptide MKFVKRRIIALVTILMLSVTSLFALQPSAKA (SEQ ID NO: 54) atthe amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 21. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 21. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 54, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thelipase of SEQ ID NO: 21, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the lipase of SEQ ID NO: 118 includesthe signal peptide MARTMRSRVVAGAVACAMSIAPFAGTTAVMTLATTHAAMAATAP (SEQ IDNO: 137) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately precedingthe first amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 118. This signal peptide is notincluded in SEQ ID NO: 118. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO:137, or another signal peptide, can optionally be included at theamino-terminus of the lipase of SEQ ID NO: 118, or at the amino-terminusof any of the other enzymes of expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the lipase of SEQ ID NO: 119 includesthe signal peptide MGIFDYKNLGTEGSKTLFADAMA (SEQ ID NO: 138) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 119. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ IDNO: 119. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 138, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of SEQID NO: 119, or at the amino terminus of any of the other enzymes orexpansin proteins described herein.

D. Xylanases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative xylanase amino acidsequences are provided in Table 5 below, together with their SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 5 Amino acid sequences for xylanases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence β-xylanase 3 (CsacDSM8903 2408) 22 Caldicellulosiruptorsaccharolyticus DSM 8903 β-xylanase 2 (Bsub168 xynA) 23 Bacillussubtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 β-xylanase 1 (Bsub168 xynD) 24Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 β-xylanase 4 (Bstearo xynA)25 Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Bacillus stearothermophilus)Xylanase, Thermomyces lanuginosus 121 β-Xylanase, Neocallimastixpatriciarum 122

The native amino acid sequence of the xylanase of SEQ ID NO: 22 includesthe signal peptide MCENLEMLNLSLAKTYKDYFKIGAAVTA (SEQ ID NO: 55) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 22. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NO:22. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 55, or another signalpeptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thexylanase of SEQ ID NO: 22, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the xylanase of SEQ ID NO: 23 includesthe signal peptide MFKFKKNFLVGLSAALMSISLFSATASA (SEQ ID NO: 56) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 23. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NO:23. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 56, or another signalpeptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thexylanase of SEQ ID NO: 23, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the xylanase of SEQ ID NO: 24 includesthe signal peptide MRKKCSVCLWILVLLLSCLSGKSAYA (SEQ ID NO: 57) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 24. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NO:24. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 57, or another signalpeptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thexylanase of SEQ ID NO: 24, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the xylanase of SEQ ID NO: 25 includesthe signal peptide MKLKKKMLTLLLTASMSFGLFGATSSA (SEQ ID NO: 58) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 25. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NO:25. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 58, or another signalpeptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of thexylanase of SEQ ID NO: 25, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

E. Xylosidases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative xylosidase aminoacid sequences are provided in Table 6 below, together with their SEQ IDNOs.

TABLE 6 Amino acid sequences for xylosidases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Xylosidase (CsacDSM8903 2404) 26 Caldicellulosiruptorsaccharolyticus DSM 8903 Xylosidase, Bacillus pumilus 123

F. Lactonases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative lactonase amino acidsequences are provided in Table 7 below, together with their SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 7 Amino acid sequences for lactonases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Lactonase (AiiA), Bacillus thuringiensis strain B184 27Lactonase (AiiA), Bacillus pseudomycoides 28 strain B30

G. Chitosanases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative chitosanase aminoacid sequences are provided in Table 8 below, together with their SEQ IDNOs.

TABLE 8 Amino acid sequences for chitosanases SEQ ID NO. for Enzymeamino acid sequence Chitosanase (Bsub168 csn) 29 Bacillus subtilissubsp. subtilis str. 168 Chitosanase, Streptomyces species N174 124

The native amino acid sequence of the chitosanase of SEQ ID NO: 29includes the signal peptide MKISMQKADFWKKAAISLLVFTMFFTLMMSETVFA (SEQ IDNO: 59) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 29. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 29. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 59, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminusof the chitosanase of SEQ ID NO: 29, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the chitosanase of SEQ ID NO: 124includes the signal peptide MHSQHRTARIALAVVLTAIPASLATAGVGYASTQASTAVK(SEQ ID NO: 139) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediatelypreceding the first amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 124. This signal peptide isnot included in SEQ ID NO: 124. However, the signal peptide of SEQ IDNO: 139), or another signal peptide, can optionally be included at theamino-terminus of the chitosanase of SEQ ID NO: 124, or at the aminoterminus of any of the other enzymes or expansin proteins describedherein.

H. Glucanases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative glucanase amino acidsequences are provided in Table 9 below, together with their SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 9 Amino acid sequences for glucanases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase, Acidothermus cellulolyticus 30Endoglucanase I, Trichoderma reesei 31 Endoglucanase II, Trichodermareesei 32 Endoglucanase IV, Trichoderma reesei 33 Endoglucanase V,Trichoderma reesei 34 Endoglucanase VII, Trichoderma reesei 35beta-1,4-endoglucanase, Trichoderma reesei 36 Cellobiohydrolase I,Trichoderma reesei 37 Cellobiohydrolase II, Trichoderma reesei 38beta-Glucosidase I, Trichoderma reesei 39 beta-Glucosidase II,Trichoderma reesei 40 exo-1,3-β-D-Glucanase, Aspergillus oryzae 41Endoglucanase B1,4 42 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168Lichenase (Bsub 168 bglS) 43 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168Beta-(1,3) endoglucanase (BglH) 44 Bacillus circulans strain IAM1165Beta-(1,3) glucosidase (GclA) 45 Bacillus circulans strain WL-12Xyloglucanase, Paenibacillus species 125 β-1,3-D-g1ucanase, Helixpomatia 126

The native amino acid sequence of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 42includes the signal peptide MKRSISIFITCLLITLLTMGGMIASPASA (SEQ ID NO:60) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 42. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 42. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 60, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminusof the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 42, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 43includes the signal peptide MPYLKRVLLLLVTGLFMSLFAVTATASA (SEQ ID NO: 61)at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 43. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 43. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 61, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of theglucanase of SEQ ID NO: 43, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 44includes the signal peptide MKRSQTSEKRYRQRVLSLFLAVVMLASIGLLPTSKVQA (SEQID NO: 62) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately precedingthe first amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 44. This signal peptide is notincluded in SEQ ID NO: 44. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 62,or another signal peptide, can optionally be included at the aminoterminus of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 44, or at the amino-terminus ofany of the other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 45includes the signal peptide MKPSHFTEKRFMKKVLGLFLVVVMLASVGVLPTSKVQA (SEQID NO: 63) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately precedingthe first amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 45. This signal peptide is notincluded in SEQ ID NO: 45. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 63,or another signal peptide, can optionally be included at the aminoterminus of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 45, or at the amino-terminus ofany of the other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 125includes the signal peptide MFKKWKKFGISSLALVLVAAVAFTGWSAKASA (SEQ ID NO:140) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 125. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 125. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 140, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminusof the glucanase of SEQ ID NO: 125, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

I. Proteases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative protease amino acidsequences are provided in Table 10 below, together with their SEQ IDNOs.

TABLE 10 Amino acid sequences for proteases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Protease 1 (Bsub168 aprX) 46 Bacillus subtilis subsp.subtilis str. 168 Protease 2 (Bsub168 vpr) 47 Bacillus subtilis subsp.subtilis str. 168 Protease 3 48 Engyodontium album (Tritirachium album)Protease (aminopeptidase), Aspergillus saitoi 127

The native amino acid sequence of the protease of SEQ ID NO: 47 includesthe signal peptide MKKGIIRFLLVSFVLFFALSTGITGVQA (SEQ ID NO: 64) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 47. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ ID NO:47. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 64, or another signalpeptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of theprotease of SEQ ID NO: 47, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the protease of SEQ ID NO: 127includes the signal peptide MVVFSKTAALVLGLSTAVSA (SEQ ID NO: 141) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 127. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ IDNO: 127. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 141, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of theprotease of SEQ ID NO: 127, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

J. Mannanases

For ease of reference, a description of an illustrative mannanase aminoacid sequence is provided in Table 11 below, together with its SEQ IDNO.

TABLE 11 Amino acid sequence for a mannanase SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Mannanase, Bacillus sp. 128

The native amino acid sequence of the mannanase of SEQ ID NO: 128includes the signal peptide MAKLQKGTILTVIAALMFVILGSAAPKA (SEQ ID NO:142) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 128. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 128. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 142, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminusof the mannanase of SEQ ID NO: 128, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

K. Pectinases

For ease of reference, a description of an illustrative pectinase aminoacid sequence is provided in Table 12 below, together with its SEQ IDNO.

TABLE 12 Amino acid sequence for a pectinase SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme (SEQID NO) amino acid sequence Pectolyase, Aspergillus japonicus 129

The native amino acid sequence of the pectolyase of SEQ ID NO: 129includes the signal peptide MPSAKPLFCLATLAGAALAAP (SEQ ID NO: 143) atthe amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 129. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 129. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 143, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of thepectolyase of SEQ ID NO: 129, or at the amino-terminus of any of theother enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

L. Acid Phosphatases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative acid phosphataseamino acid sequences are provided in Table 13 below, together with theirSEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 13 Amino acid sequences for acid phosphatases SEQ ID NO. forEnzyme amino acid sequence Acid phosphatase, Triticum aestivum 130 Acidphosphatase, Triticum aestivum 131

The native amino acid sequence of the acid phosphatase of SEQ ID NO: 130includes the signal peptide MARGSMAAVLAVLAVAALRCAPAAA (SEQ ID NO: 144)at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 130. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 130. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 144, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of theacid phosphatase of SEQ ID NO: 130, or at the amino-terminus of any ofthe other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the acid phosphatase of SEQ ID NO: 131includes the signal peptide MRGLGFAALSLHVLLCLANGVSSRRTSSYV (SEQ ID NO:145) at the amino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding thefirst amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 131. This signal peptide is not includedin SEQ ID NO: 131. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 145, oranother signal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminusof the acid phosphatase of SEQ ID NO: 131, or at the amino-terminus ofany of the other enzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

M. Phytases

For ease of reference, descriptions of illustrative phytase amino acidsequences are provided in Table 14 below, together with their SEQ IDNOs.

TABLE 14 Amino acid sequences for phytases SEQ ID NO. for Enzyme aminoacid sequence Phytase, Triticum aestivum 132 Phytase, Triticum aestivum133 Phytase, Triticum aestivum 134

The native amino acid sequence of the phytase of SEQ ID NO: 132 includesthe signal peptide MWWGSLRLLLLLAAAVAA (SEQ ID NO: 146) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 132. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ IDNO: 132. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 146, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of thephytase of SEQ ID NO: 132, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phytase of SEQ ID NO: 133 includesthe signal peptide MWWGSLRLLLLLAAAVAA (SEQ ID NO: 146) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 133. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ IDNO: 133. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 146, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of thephytase of SEQ ID NO: 133, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

The native amino acid sequence of the phytase of SEQ ID NO: 134 includesthe signal peptide MGIWRGSLPLLLLAA (SEQ ID NO: 147) at theamino-terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the first aminoacid of SEQ ID NO: 134. This signal peptide is not included in SEQ IDNO: 134. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 147, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino-terminus of thephytase of SEQ ID NO: 134, or at the amino-terminus of any of the otherenzymes or expansin proteins described herein.

N. Expansin Proteins

For ease of reference, an illustrative expansin amino acid sequences isprovided in Table 15 below, together with its SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 15 Amino acid sequence for an expansin SEQ ID NO. for ExpansinProtein amino acid sequence Expansin (Bsub168 exlX) 74 Bacillus subtilissubsp. subtilis str. 168

The native amino acid sequence of the expansin protein of SEQ ID NO: 74includes the signal peptide MKKIMSAFVGMVLLTIFCFSPQASA (SEQ ID NO: 68) atthe amino terminus of the sequence, immediately preceding the firstamino acid of SEQ ID NO: 74. This signal peptide is not included in SEQID NO: 74. However, the signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 74, or anothersignal peptide, can optionally be included at the amino terminus of theprotease of SEQ ID NO: 74, at the amino terminus of any of the enzymesdescribed herein, or at the amino terminus of another expansin protein.

O. Mutations that Increase Enzyme Activity

In any of the enzymes described herein, including both free enzymes andenzymes that are expressed by a recombinant microorganism, the enzymecan comprise at least one amino acid substitution relative to thesequence of a wild-type sequence of the same enzyme, and wherein theamino acid substitution results in increased activity of the enzyme ascompared to the enzyme activity of the wild-type enzyme under the sameconditions.

II. Modified Enzymes Having ACC Deaminase Activity

Modified 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase enzymes areprovided. ACC deaminases and D-cysteine desulfhydrases (DCD) often havesimilar amino acid sequences and can have overlapping enzyme activities,being able to act on both 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) andD-cysteine as substrates. Some enzymes only have one of theseactivities, while others are able to act both as ACC deaminases and asD-cysteine desulfhydrases. ACC deaminases cleave ACC into ammonia andalpha-ketobutyrate, while D-cysteine desulfhydrases converts D-cysteineinto pyruvate, H₂S, and ammonia. ACC is the immediate precursor ofethylene, which can cause undesirable effects in plants if present athigh levels.

Thus, an enzyme having increased ACC deaminase activity would bebeneficial for use in agriculture in order to reduce ACC levels andthereby reduce ethylene levels. Application of ACC deaminase to a plantgrowth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant ora plant seed can stimulate plant growth, promote plant health (e.g., byincreasing nutrient uptake), and slow fruit ripening. These effects inturn lead to increased yields, early season vigor, and resistance ofplants to early season stresses. ACC deaminases can also protect plantsfrom pathogens as well as abiotic stresses.

As explained in greater detail below, mutations can be made in enzymesthat exhibit D-cysteine desulfhydrase and/or ACC deaminase activity inorder to increase the ACC deaminase activity of the enzyme. In addition,enzymes having ACC deaminase activity can be modified to include asignal peptide that results in secretion of the enzyme when it isexpressed in a microorganism, allowing for easier production andpurification of the enzyme. Such modifications (mutations and theaddition of a signal peptide) can be used individually or in combinationwith one another. All plants make ACC and respond to ethylene, and thussuch modified ACC deaminase enzymes have broad applicability.

Amino acid sequences for three wild-type enzymes are provided above inTable 2 as SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113. Sequences for the correspondingversions of these wild-type enzymes that have two amino acidsubstitutions that result in increased ACC deaminase activity areprovided above in Table 2 as SEQ ID NOs. 10-12 and 114.

Naturally occurring ACC deaminase is not a secreted protein. ACCdeaminases are found in many types of microorganisms, including bacteriaof the Phyla Bacteriodetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, and bacteriaof the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, as wellas many others. However, the ACC deaminases found in these bacteria areintracellular, and have limited exposure to the substrate ACC from thehost plants that they colonize.

A modified ACC deaminase is provided herein that comprises a signalpeptide that results in secretion of the ACC deaminase from amicroorganism in which it is expressed. This ACC deaminase can beexpressed in a microorganism, which can then be applied to a plantgrowth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant ora plant seed. The ACC deaminase is secreted by the microorganism whereit comes into contact with its substrate. The secreted ACC deaminase isthus able to stimulate growth of the plant and/or promote health of theplant.

An enzyme is provided. The enzyme comprises an amino acid sequenceencoding an enzyme having 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase(ACC deaminase) activity and a signal peptide that results in secretionof the enzyme when the enzyme is expressed in a microorganism.

The enzyme having ACC deaminase activity can comprise an enzyme from aBacillus genus bacterium.

In addition or in the alternative, one or more amino acid substitutionscan be introduced into the amino acid sequence of an ACC deaminaseenzyme to increase enzyme activity.

An enzyme having ACC deaminase activity is provided. The amino acidsequence of the enzyme comprises at least one amino acid substitutionrelative to the sequence of a wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACCdeaminase enzyme from a Bacillus genus bacterium. The amino acidsubstitution results in increased ACC deaminase activity as compared tothe ACC deaminase activity of the wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase orACC deaminase enzyme under the same conditions.

The enzyme comprising the at least one amino acid substitution canfurther comprise a signal peptide that results in secretion of enzymewhen the enzyme is expressed in a microorganism.

For any of the enzymes having ACC deaminase activity, the microorganismin which the enzyme is expressed can comprise a bacterium of the genusBacillus, a bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas, a bacterium of the genusRhizobium, a bacterium of the genus Paenibacillus, a bacterium of thegenus Lysinibacillus, a bacterium of the genus Paracoccus, a bacteriumof the genus Mesorhizobium, a bacterium of the genus Bradyrhizobium, abacterium of the genus Actinobacter, a bacterium of the genusArthrobacter, a bacterium of the genus Azotobacter, a bacterium of thegenus Azosprillium, a pink-pigmented facultative methyltrophicbacterium, a mycorrhizal fungus, a fungus of the genus Glomus, a fungusof the genus Trichoderma, a fungus of the genus Kluyera, a fungus of thegenus Gliocladium, or a combination of any thereof.

For example, the microorganism can comprise a bacterium of the genusBacillus, a bacterium of the genus Lysinibacillus, a bacterium of thegenus Pseudomonas, a bacterium of the genus Paenibacillus, or acombination of any thereof.

For any of the enzymes having ACC deaminase activity, the enzyme cancomprise a Bacillus thuringiensis enzyme or a Bacillus pseudomycoidesenzyme.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113, wherein the enzyme hasACC deaminase activity.

The enzyme can comprise two amino acid substitutions relative to thesequence of the wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACC deaminaseenzyme, wherein the amino acid substitutions result in increased ACCdeaminase activity as compared to the ACC deaminase activity of thewild-type enzyme, under the same conditions.

For example, the amino acid sequence of the enzyme can comprise asubstitution of the threonine residue at position 290 of SEQ ID NO: 7with a glutamic acid residue and a substitution of the serine residue atposition 317 of SEQ ID NO: 7 with a leucine residue.

The amino acid sequence of the enzyme can comprise a substitution of thethreonine residue at position 290 of SEQ ID NO: 8 with a glutamic acidresidue and a substitution of the serine residue at position 317 of SEQID NO: 8 with a leucine residue.

The amino acid sequence of the enzyme can comprise a substitution of thethreonine residue at position 290 of SEQ ID NO: 9 with a glutamic acidresidue and a substitution of the serine residue at position 317 of SEQID NO: 9 with a leucine residue.

The amino acid sequence of the enzyme can comprise a substitution of thethreonine residue at position 290 of SEQ ID NO: 113 with a glutamic acidresidue and a substitution of the serine residue at position 317 of SEQID NO: 113 with a leucine residue.

The enzyme can comprise any one of SEQ ID NOs. 10, 11, 12, or 14.

Where the enzyme having ACC deaminase activity comprises the signalpeptide but does not comprise any amino acid substitutions relative tothe sequence of a wild-type D-cysteine desulfhydrase or ACC deaminaseenzyme, the ACC deaminase an comprise an amino acid sequence having 100%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-9 and 113.

Signal peptides that can be used to modify the enzymes having ACCdeaminase activity are described further in Section XII below.

III. Recombinant Bacteria that Express the Modified Enzymes Having ACCDeaminase Activity, and Formulations Containing the Modified Enzymes orthe Recombinant Bacterial that Express the Modified Enzymes

Recombinant microorganisms that express any of the enzymes describedabove in Section II are also provided.

In any of the recombinant microorganisms that express an enzymedescribed above in Section II, the expression of the enzyme ispreferably increased as compared to the level of expression of theenzyme in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind under the sameconditions.

Suitable microorganisms that can be used for expression of the enzymesare described below in Section XIII.

Formulations comprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier and any ofthe modified enzymes described above in Section II above or arecombinant microorganism that expresses any of the modified e enzymesare also provided. Suitable carriers that can be used in suchformulations and further formulation components are described below inSection XVI.

IV. Methods for Stimulating Plant Growth and/or Promoting Plant Health

Methods for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health areprovided. As described in greater detail below, the methods compriseapplying an enzyme, expansin protein, or a recombinant microorganismthat expresses an enzyme or an expansin protein to a plant growthmedium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plantseed.

Application of the enzymes or expansin proteins or the recombinantbacteria preferably results in delivery of higher levels of enzyme orexpansin protein to the plant growth medium, the plant, the plant seed,or the area surrounding the plant or plant seed than the levels of theenzyme or expansin protein that would be found in nature in the plantgrowth medium the plant seed, or the area surrounding the plant or theplant seed.

A. Modified Enzymes Having ACC Deaminase Activity

A method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health isprovided. The method comprises applying any of the enzymes having ACCdeaminase activity described above in Section II to a plant growthmedium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plantseed. Alternatively, the method can comprise applying a formulationcomprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier and any of the enzymeshaving ACC deaminase activity described above in Section II to a plantgrowth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant ora plant seed.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying any of the recombinantmicroorganisms that express an enzyme having ACC deaminase activitydescribed above in Section III to a plant growth medium, a plant, aplant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed.Alternatively, the method can comprise applying a formulation comprisingan agriculturally acceptable carrier and any of the recombinantmicroorganisms that express an enzyme having ACC deaminase activitydescribed above in Section III to a plant growth medium, a plant, aplant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed.

For example, the method can comprise applying any of the enzymesdescribed in Section II above to the plant growth medium, plant, plantseed, or area surrounding the plant or the plant seed.

The method can comprise applying free enzyme to the plant growth medium,plant, plant seed, or area surrounding the plant or the plant seed.

The method can comprise applying any of the recombinant organismsdescribed above in Section III to the plant growth medium, plant, plantseed, or area surrounding the plant or the plant seed.

The effects of any of the enzymes having ACC deaminase activitydescribed in this section or elsewhere herein on plants can be tested,for example, by measurements of increases in root mass, increases inplant height, increases in yield, increases in nodulation, changes toleaf senescence, changes in seed germination, and delay in fruitripening.

B. Phospholipases, Lipases, Xylanases, Xylosidases, Lactonases,Chitosanases, Glucanases Proteases, Mannanases, Pectinases, AcidPhosphatases, Phytases, ACC Deaminases, and Expansin Proteins

1. Free Enzymes

As described in greater detail below, methods for stimulating plantgrowth and/or promoting plant health involving the use ofphospholipases, lipases, xylosidases, lactonases, chitosanases,glucanases, proteases, mannanases, pectinases, acid phosphatases,phytases, ACC deaminases, and/or expansin proteins and/or recombinantbacteria expressing such enzymes or expansin proteins are provided.

A method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health isprovided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to a plant growthmedium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plantseed. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase,a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, aprotease, an acid phosphatase, a non-cellulolytic glucanase, an ACCdeaminase, and combinations of any thereof.

The enzyme is preferably selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, an ACCdeaminase, and combinations of any thereof.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying two or more freeenzymes to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an areasurrounding a plant or a plant seed. The enzymes are independentlyselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a chitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, amannanase, a pectinase, a glucanase, and an ACC deaminase.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a glucanase. Applying theenzyme to the plant seed comprises: (a) applying the enzyme to the plantseed at the time of planting; or (b) coating the plant seed with theenzyme.

In the method comprising applying a free enzyme to a plant or a plantseed, wherein the enzyme comprises a glucanase, the method can comprisecoating the plant seed with a seed coating formulation comprising theenzyme and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

In the method comprising applying a free enzyme to a plant or a plantseed, wherein the enzyme comprises a glucanase, the method can furthercomprise applying the enzyme or an expansin protein to the plant growthmedium or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed. For example, themethod can comprise applying the enzyme or the expansin protein to theplant growth medium. The method can comprise applying the enzyme and theexpansin protein to the plant growth medium.

Yet another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a glucanase. The methodfurther comprises applying an expansin protein to the plant growthmedium, the plant, the plant seed, or the area surrounding a plant or aplant seed.

In the method comprising applying a free enzyme and an expansin protein,applying the enzyme or the expansin protein to the plant seed comprises:(a) applying the enzyme or expansin protein to the plant seed at thetime of planting; or (b) coating the plant seed with the enzyme orexpansin protein. For example, the method can comprise coating the plantseed with a seed coating formulation comprising an agriculturallyacceptable carrier and the enzyme, the expansin protein, or both theenzyme and the expansin protein.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a free enzyme to aplant or a plant seed. The enzyme comprises a phytase.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a fertilizer and afree enzyme to a plant growth medium, an area surrounding a plant or aplant seed, or to a plant or a plant seed. The free enzyme comprises aphytase.

2. Recombinant Microorganisms

A method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health isprovided. The method comprises applying a recombinant microorganism to aplant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding aplant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganism expresses an enzymeor an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme or expansinprotein is increased as compared to the expression level of the enzymeor expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind underthe same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, alipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, aglucanase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a protease, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzyme or expansinprotein is expressed during vegetative growth of the recombinantmicroorganism.

Another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, aphytase, an acid phosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof. The enzyme or expansin protein further comprises a signalpeptide that results in secretion of the enzyme or expansin protein.

A further method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism ofthe same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a phytase, a mannanase, apectinase, an acid phosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not bound to the exosporium of arecombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

Yet another method for stimulating plant growth and/or promoting planthealth is provided. The method comprises applying a recombinantmicroorganism to a plant growth medium, a plant, a plant seed, or anarea surrounding a plant or a plant seed. The recombinant microorganismexpresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of theenzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared to the expressionlevel the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of thesame kind under the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a glucanase, a protease, a phytase, a mannanase, apectinase, an acid phosphatase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not part of a fusion protein.

In any of the methods, the enzyme or expansin protein can be expressedduring vegetative growth of the recombinant microorganism.

Where the enzyme or expansin protein is expressed during vegetativegrowth of the recombinant microorganism, the recombinant microorganismcan be a spore-forming microorganism.

In any of the methods other than the methods where the enzyme is notpart of a fusion protein, the enzyme or expansin protein can furthercomprise a signal peptide that results in secretion of the enzyme orexpansin protein. Suitable signal peptides are described in Section XIIbelow.

In any of the methods, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably notbound to the exosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

In any of the methods, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably notbound to the exosporium of an intact Bacillus cereus family memberspore.

In any of the methods other than the methods that involve the use of asignal peptide, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably not part of afusion protein.

C. Routes for Delivery of Enzymes, Expansins, and/or RecombinantMicroorganisms to Plants

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme or the recombinant microorganism to the plant growth medium.For example, the enzyme or recombinant microorganism can be appliedin-furrow or can be included in a soil amendment. Alternatively, or inaddition, the enzyme or recombinant microorganism can be impregnatedonto a dry particle, a vermiculite or other matrix, a plastic polymer, apeat moss or potting mix, prior to application to the plant growthmedium. The enzyme or recombinant microorganism can also be applied tothe plant growth medium via a water source, a drip irrigation line, abroadcast liquid application to the soil, or a broadcast dry applicationto the soil.

The plant growth medium can comprise or consist essentially of afertilizer. The mixture of the fertilizer and the enzyme or recombinantmicroorganism can then be applied to soil or another plant growth mediumusing standard fertilizer application, methods, including in-furrowfertilizer application, 2×2 fertilizer application, broadcast fertilizerapplication, fertilizer impregnation, drip irrigation lines, topdressingapplications, and the like.

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the recombinant microorganism tothe plant.

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the recombinant microorganism toroots of the plant.

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the recombinant microorganismfoliarly.

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the recombinant microorganism tothe plant seed.

Where the method comprises applying the enzyme, the expansin protein, orthe recombinant microorganism to a plant seed, applying the enzyme, theexpansin protein, or the recombinant organism to the plant seed cancomprise: (a) applying the enzyme, the expansin protein, or therecombinant organism to the plant seed at the time of planting; or (b)coating the plant seed with the enzyme, the expansin protein, or therecombinant organism.

For example, the method can comprise coating the plant seed with a seedcoating formulation comprising: an agriculturally acceptable carrier andthe enzyme, the expansin protein, the recombinant microorganism, or acombination thereof.

V. Plant Seeds

Plant seeds treated with an enzyme, expansin protein, or a recombinantmicroorganism that expresses an enzyme or expansin protein are alsoprovided.

A. Plant Seeds Treated with Modified Enzymes Having ACC DeaminaseActivity

A treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with any ofthe enzymes having ACC deaminase activity described above in Section II.Alternatively, the plant seed is treated with a formulation comprisingany of the enzymes having ACC deaminase activity described above inSection II and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

A further plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with any ofthe recombinant microorganisms that express an enzyme having ACCdeaminase activity described above in Section III. Alternatively, theplant seed is treated with a formulation comprising any of therecombinant microorganisms that express an enzyme having ACC deaminaseactivity described above in Section III.

B. Plant Seeds Treated with Enzymes or Recombinant Microorganisms

Plant seeds treated with enzymes, expansin proteins, or recombinantbacteria are provided.

1. Free Enzymes

A treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with a freeenzyme. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, anon-cellulolytic glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof.

The enzyme is preferably selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a protease, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, an ACCdeaminase, and combinations of any thereof.

Another treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated withtwo or more free enzymes, wherein the enzymes are independently selectedfrom a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a protease, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, a glucanase, and an ACC deaminase.

A treated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is treated with a freeenzyme and an expansin protein. The enzyme comprises a glucanase.

A coated plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with a freeenzyme. The enzyme comprises a glucanase.

2. Recombinant Microorganisms

A plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with a recombinantmicroorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses an enzyme or anexpansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme or expansin proteinis increased as compared to the expression level of the enzyme orexpansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind under thesame conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase,a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, a glucanase, aprotease, a phytase, a mannanase, a pectinase, an acid phosphatase, anACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzyme or expansinprotein is expressed during vegetative growth of the recombinantmicroorganism.

Another plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme isincreased as compared to the expression level of the enzyme or expansinprotein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kind under the sameconditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase, a lipase, axylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, a glucanase, aprotease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acid phosphatase, anACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzyme or expansinprotein further comprises a signal peptide that results in secretion ofthe enzyme or expansin protein.

A further plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, aglucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not bound to the exosporium of arecombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

Yet another plant seed is provided. The plant seed is coated with arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a chitosanase, aglucanase, a protease, a mannanase, a pectinase, a phytase, an acidphosphatase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. Theenzyme or expansin protein is not part of a fusion protein.

In any of the seeds, the enzyme or expansin protein can be expressedduring vegetative growth of the recombinant microorganism.

Where the enzyme or expansin protein is expressed during vegetativegrowth of the recombinant microorganism, the recombinant microorganismcan be a spore-forming microorganism.

In any of the seeds other than the seeds where the enzyme is not part ofa fusion protein, the enzyme or expansin protein can further comprise asignal peptide that results in secretion of the enzyme or expansinprotein. Suitable signal peptides are described in Section XII below.

In any of the seeds, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably notbound to the exosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

In any of the seeds, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably notbound to the exosporium of an intact Bacillus cereus family memberspore.

In any of the seeds other than the seeds that involve the use of asignal peptide, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably not part of afusion protein.

C. Coated plant seeds

For any of the plant seeds, the plant seed can be coated with theenzyme, the recombinant microorganism, the expansin protein, or acombination of any thereof.

For example, the plant seed can be coated with the enzyme and theexpansin protein.

Any of the plant seeds can be coated with a seed coating formulationcomprising the enzyme, the recombinant microorganism, the expansinprotein, or a combination of any thereof, and an agriculturallyacceptable carrier.

VI. Compositions

Compositions comprising a fertilizer and an enzyme or expansin protein,or a recombinant microorganism that overexpresses an enzyme or anexpansin protein, are provided.

A. Enzymes

A composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizer and anenzyme or an expansin protein. The enzyme is selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, amannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase,a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of anythereof.

The enzyme preferably comprises a free enzyme.

B. Recombinant Microorganisms

A composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizer and arecombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expresses anenzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, apectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase, a phytase, aglucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzymeor expansin protein is expressed during vegetative growth of therecombinant microorganism.

Another composition is provided. The composition comprises a fertilizerand a recombinant microorganism. The recombinant microorganism expressesan enzyme or an expansin protein, wherein expression of the enzyme orexpansin protein is increased as compared to the expression level of theenzyme or expansin protein in a wild-type microorganism of the same kindunder the same conditions. The enzyme is selected from a phospholipase,a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, a mannanase, apectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acid phosphatase, a phytase, aglucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinations of any thereof. The enzymeor expansin protein further comprises a signal peptide that results insecretion of the enzyme or expansin protein.

Yet another composition is provided. The composition comprises afertilizer and a recombinant microorganism. The recombinantmicroorganism expresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, whereinexpression of the enzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared tothe expression level of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-typemicroorganism of the same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme isselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acidphosphatase, a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinationsof any thereof. The enzyme or expansin protein is not bound to theexosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

A further composition is provided. The composition comprises afertilizer and a recombinant microorganism. The recombinantmicroorganism expresses an enzyme or an expansin protein, whereinexpression of the enzyme or expansin protein is increased as compared tothe expression level of the enzyme or expansin protein in a wild-typemicroorganism of the same kind under the same conditions. The enzyme isselected from a phospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, alactonase, a mannanase, a pectinase, a chitosanase, a protease, an acidphosphatase, a phytase, a glucanase, an ACC deaminase, and combinationsof any thereof. The enzyme or expansin protein is not part of a fusionprotein.

In any of the compositions, the enzyme or expansin protein can beexpressed during vegetative growth of the recombinant microorganism.

Where the enzyme or expansin protein is expressed during vegetativegrowth of the recombinant microorganism, the recombinant microorganismcan be a spore-forming microorganism.

In any of the compositions other than the compositions where the enzymeis not part of a fusion protein, the enzyme or expansin protein canfurther comprise a signal peptide that results in secretion of theenzyme or expansin protein. Suitable signal peptides are described inSection XII below.

In any of the compositions, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitablynot bound to the exosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus familymember.

In any of the compositions, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitablynot bound to the exosporium of an intact Bacillus cereus family memberspore.

In any of the compositions other than the compositions that involve theuse of a signal peptide, the enzyme or expansin protein is suitably notpart of a fusion protein.

C. Carriers and Additional Agrochemicals

In any of the compositions, the composition can further comprise anagriculturally acceptable carrier, a further agrochemical in addition tothe fertilizer, or a combination thereof. Suitable carriers andagrochemicals are described in Section XVI below.

VII. Enzymes and Expansin Proteins for Use with the Methods, PlantSeeds, or Compositions

Phospholipases, lipases, xylanases, xylosidases, lactonases,chitosanases, proteases, glucanases, expansin proteins, phytases, acidphosphatases, pectinases, mannanases, and ACC deaminases that aresuitable for use in connection with the methods, seeds, and compositionsare described below.

A. Phospholipases

The enzyme can comprise a phospholipase.

Phospholipases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating orplant health promoting purposes described herein, but are especiallysuitable for stimulating plant growth, increasing nutrient uptake,and/or increasing root development and nodulation. Increasing rootnodulation enhances the ability of the plant to form symbioticrelationships with nitrogen fixing microorganisms in the soil, resultingin increased nitrogen uptake and enhanced growth rates. These effectsalso lead to decreased susceptibility to environmental stresses such asdrought.

Phospholipases are enzymes that have specific activity on phospholipids,releasing free fatty acids from complex phospholipids. Phospholipasescan be broken down into five major classes: phospholipase A,phospholipase B, phospholipase C, phospholipase D, and phospholipase E.Each of these classes acts on specific types of phospholipids.

Where the enzyme comprises a phospholipase, the phospholipase cancomprise a phospholipase A, a phospholipase B, a phospholipase C, aphospholipase D, a phospholipase E, or a combination of any thereof.

For example, the phospholipase can comprise a phospholipase A, aphospholipase C, a phospholipase D, or a combination of any thereof.

When the phospholipase comprises the phospholipase A, the phospholipaseA can comprise a phospholipase A1, a phospholipase A2, or a combinationthereof.

The phospholipase A2 can comprise a Group IIA phospholipase A2, a GroupIIC phospholipase A2, a Group IID phospholipase A2, a Group IIEphospholipase A2, a Group IIF phospholipase A2, a Group IIIphospholipase A2, a Group IVA phospholipase A2, a Group IVBphospholipase A2, a Group IVC phospholipase A2, a Group IVDphospholipase A2, a Group IVE phospholipase A2, a Group VIFphospholipase A2, a Group V phospholipase A2, a Group VI phospholipaseA2, a Group VII phospholipase A2, a Group X phospholipase A2, a GroupXIIA phospholipase A2, a Group XIIB phospholipase A2, a Group XVphospholipase A2, a Group XVI phospholipase A2. or a combination of anythereof.

When the phospholipase comprises the phospholipase B, the phospholipaseB can comprise a phospholipase Bl.

When the phospholipase comprises the phospholipase C, the phospholipaseC can comprise a phospholipase C beta 1, a phospholipase C beta 2, aphospholipase C beta 3, a phospholipase C beta 4, a phospholipase Cdelta 1, a phospholipase C delta 3, a phospholipase C delta 4, aphospholipase C epsilon 1, a phospholipase C gamma 1, a phospholipase Cgamma 2, a phospholipase C eta 1, a phospholipase C eta 2, aphospholipase C zeta 1, or a combination of any thereof.

When the phospholipase comprises the phospholipase D, the phospholipaseD can comprise a phospholipase D1, a phospholipase D2, a phospholipase Dmember 3, a phospholipase D member 4, a phospholipase D member 5, aphospholipase D member 6, or a combination of any thereof.

The phospholipase can comprise a 1-alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholineesterase, a phosphatidylinositol deacylase, a phosphoinositidephospholipase C, a sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, a sphingomyelinphosphodiesterase D, an alkylglycerophosphoethanolaminephosphodiesterase, a variant-surface-glycoprotein phospholipase C, aglycosylphosphatidylinositol phospholipase D, anN-acetylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D, aphosphatidylinositol diacylglycerol-lyase, aglycosylphosphatidylinositol diacylglycerol-lyase, a patatin-likephospholipase domain containing protein 2 (PNPLA2), a patatin-likephospholipase domain containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), or a combination ofany thereof.

The phospholipase can comprise a Streptomyces phospholipase (e.g., aStreptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase such as Streptomyceschromofuscus phospholipase D), a Bacillus phospholipase (e.g., aBacillus cereus phospholipase such as Bacillus cereusphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C or Bacillus cereusphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, or a Bacillusthuringiensis phospholipase), a Clostridium phospholipase (e.g., aClostridium perfringens phospholipase such as Clostridium perfringensphospholipase C), or a combination of any thereof.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least70% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least98% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least99% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

The phospholipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19 and 115-117.

Where the phospholipase comprises a Bacillus cereusphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 115), themethod can further comprise applying a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 128)or a xyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125) to the plant growth medium,plant, plant seed, or area surrounding the plant or the plant seed.

Where the phospholipase comprises a Bacillus cereusphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 115), theseed can be further treated with a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 128) or axyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125).

Where the phospholipase comprises a Bacillus cereusphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 115), thecomposition can further comprise a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 128) or axyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125).

The Bacillus cereus phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and themannanase can be present in the method, on the seed, or in thecomposition in synergistically effective amounts.

The Bacillus cereus phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and thexyloglucanase can be present in the method, on the seed, or in thecomposition in synergistically effective amounts.

B. Lipases

The enzyme can comprise a lipase.

Lipases are enzymes that have specific activity to lipids, cleavingfatty acid chains off of larger lipid molecules such as triglycerides.Lipases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating or planthealth-promoting purposes described herein, but are particularlywell-suited for stimulating plant growth and enhancing nutrient uptake.These effects in turn lead to increased crop yields, improved earlyseason vigor, and decreased susceptibility of plants to early seasonstresses.

The lipase can comprise a carboxyl ester lipase, a diacylglycerol lipasealpha, a diacylglycerol lipase beta, a lipase A, a hepatic lipase, ahormone-sensitive lipase, a gastric lipase, an endothelial lipase, amember H lipase, a lipase family member I, a lipase family member J, alipase family member K, a lipase family member M, a lipase family memberN, a lipoprotein lipase, a monoglyceride lipase, a pancreaticlipase-related protein 2, a pancreatic lipase-related protein 3, anacylglycerol lipase, a galactolipase, a lipoprotein lipase, or acombination of any thereof.

The lipase can comprise a Bacillus subtilis lipase, a Bacillusthuringiensis lipase, a Bacillus cereus lipase, a Bacillus clausiilipase, a Burkholderia cepacia lipase, a Burkholderia stearothermophiluslipase, a Pseudomonas lipase, or a combination of any thereof.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity with SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

The lipase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identity withSEQ ID NO: 20, 21, and 118-120.

C. Xylanases

The enzyme can comprise a xylanase.

Xylanases act on the polysaccharide xylan, a common sugar found inplants and in the soil. Xylanases can be used as a seed treatment,delivered to the plant growth medium (e.g., via in furrow application oras a soil amendment), or applied as a foliar treatment onto plants togenerate smaller sugar chains that can be taken up by the plant or usedto feed the surrounding microbiome.

Where the enzyme comprises a xylanase, the xylanase can comprise abeta-xylanase.

For example the beta-xylanase can comprise a glucuronoarabinoxylanendo-1,4-beta-xylanase, an exo-1,4-beta-xylanase, anendo-1,4-beta-xylanase, or a combination of any thereof.

The xylanase can comprise a Caldicellulosiruptor xylanase (e.g., aCaldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus xylanase), a Bacillus xylanase(e.g., a Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus stearothermophilus xylanase), aNeocallimastix xylanase (e.g., a Neocallimastix patriciarum xylanase), aThermomyces xylanase (e.g., a Thermomyces lanuginosus xylanase), or acombination of any thereof.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

The xylanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identity toany one of SEQ ID NOs. 22-25, 121, and 122.

D. Xylosidases

The enzyme can comprise a xylosidase.

Xylosidases cleave single xylose molecules off of shorter fragments ofxylan, a common polysaccharide found in plants and in the soil.Xylosidases can be used as a seed treatment, delivered to the plantgrowth medium (e.g., via in furrow application or as a soil amendment),or applied as a foliar treatment onto plants to generate smaller sugarchains that can be taken up by the plant or used to feed the surroundingmicrobiome.

For example, the xylosidase can comprise a Caldicellulosiruptorsaccharolyticus xylosidase, a Bacillus pumilus xylosidase, or acombination thereof.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

The xylosidase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identityto SEQ ID NO: 26 or 123.

E. Lactonases

The enzyme can comprise a lactonase.

Lactonases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating or planthealth promoting purposes described herein, but are especially suitablefor decreasing the susceptibility of plants to pathogens. Lactonases arealso described as acyl-homoserine lactonases and are metalloenzymesproduced by certain species of bacteria. For example, lactonases can befound in bacteria of the Phyla Bacteriodetes, Firmicutes,Actinobacteria, and in bacteria of the genera of Pseudomonas andBacillus, as well as others. Lactonases target and inactivate acylatedhomoserine lactones. Lactonases hydrolyze the ester bonds of smallhormone-like molecules commonly known as homoserine lactones. In thehydrolysis of these lactone bonds, lactonase acts to prevent thesehomoserine lactones from binding to their transcriptionally-regulatedtargets and thereby interfere with quorum sensing. However, lactonasesecretion from naturally occurring bacteria that colonize soil or plantsis limited and inducible, and thus it would be desirable to providinghigher levels of lactonase to the environment of a plant.

Free lactonases or recombinant bacteria expressing lactonases can beapplied to plants (e.g., foliarly or as a seed treatment) or a plantgrowth medium in order to reduce the levels of lactones in theenvironment. Without being bound to any particular theory, it isbelieved that this reduction in the level of lactones can in turn leadto reduction in plant disease, as well as a secondary increase in plantgrowth and development.

When expressed in a recombinant microorganism, the addition of asecretion signal to the lactonase would allow the microbe to secrete thelactonase into the environment. Suitable secretion signals are describedfurther below in Section XII.

Where the enzyme comprises a lactonase, the lactonase can comprise a1,4-lactonase, a 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate lactonase, a 3-oxoadipateenol-lactonase, an actinomycin lactonase, a deoxylimonateA-ring-lactonase, a gluconolactonase, an L-rhamnono-1,4-lactonase, alimonin-D-ring-lactonase, a steroid-lactonase, a triacetate-lactonase, axylono-1,4-lactonase, or a combination of any thereof.

The lactonase can comprise a Bacillus lactonase (e.g., a Bacillusthuringiensis lactonase, a Bacillus pseudomycoides lactonase, or acombination thereof), an Agrobacterium lactonase, a Rhodococcuslactonase, a Streptomyces lactonase, an Arthrobacter lactonase, aSphingomonas lactonase, a Pseudomonas lactonase, a Klebsiella lactonase,or a combination of any thereof.

The lactonase can comprise an AiiA.

The lactonase is preferably specific for a bacterial lactone homoserinesignaling molecule.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

The lactonase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identityto SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28.

F. Chitosanases

The enzyme can comprise a chitosanase.

Chitosanases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating orplant health promoting purposes described herein, but are especiallysuitable for increasing nutrient uptake and increasing plant growth.This in turn leads to increased crop yield, improved early season vigor,and decreased susceptibility to early season stresses. Chitosanases arealso useful for protecting plants from pathogens.

The chitosanase can comprise an exo-1,4-beta-D-glucosaminidase, anendo-1,4-beta-d-glucosaminidase, or a combination thereof.

The chitosanase can comprise a Bacillus subtilis chitosanase, aStreptomyces chitosanase, or a combination of any thereof.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

The chitosanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identityto SEQ ID NO: 29 or 124.

G. Proteases

The enzyme can comprise a protease.

Proteases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating or planthealth promoting purposes described herein, but are particularly usefulfor increasing nutrient uptake and stimulating plant growth. This inturn leads to increased crop yield, improved early season vigor, anddecreased susceptibility to early season stresses. Proteases are alsouseful for protecting plants from pathogens.

The protease can comprise a subtilisin, an acid protease, an alkalineprotease, a proteinase, a peptidase, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase,a thermolysin, a papain, a pepsin, a trypsin, a pronase, a carboxylase,a serine protease, a glutamate protease, an aspartate protease, acysteine protease, a threonine protease, an asparagine protease, ahistidine protease, a metalloprotease, or a combination of any thereof.

For example, the protease can comprise a cysteine protease, a serineprotease, a threonine protease, an aspartate protease, an asparagineprotease, a metalloprotease, a glutamate protease, or a combination ofany thereof.

For example, the protease can comprise a metalloprotease, a serineprotease, an aspartate protease, a histidine protease, or a combinationof any thereof.

The protease preferably does not consist of a methionine aminopeptidase.

The protease preferably does not comprise a methionine aminopeptidase.

The protease can comprise comprises a Bacillus protease (e.g., aBacillus subtilis protease), an Aspergillus protease, or a combinationthereof.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

The protease can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 100%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 46-48 and 127.

H. Glucanases

The enzyme can comprise a glucanase.

Glucanases can be used for any of the plant growth stimulating or planthealth promoting purposes described herein, but are particularly usefulfor increasing nutrient uptake and stimulating plant growth. This inturn leads to increased crop yield, improved early season vigor, anddecreased susceptibility to early season stresses. Glucanases can alsobe used for protecting plants from pathogens and for reducingsusceptibility to an environmental stress in a plant.

Glucanases use water to break chemical bonds between individual glucosemolecules glucans, which are long chain polysaccharides. Glucans can bebroken down into two types, alpha glucan, consisting of primarily alphachains of glucose molecules, and beta glucans, consisting of primarilybeta chains of glucose molecules. Common alpha glucans include dextrans,glycogens, pullalans, and starch. Alpha glucans generally includecombinations of alpha 1,4; alpha 1,6, and/or alpha 1,3 glucans andbranches. Glucanases that are specific for cleaving alpha linkages arecalled alpha-glucanases. Beta glucanases are specific to beta linkagesbetween glucans. Common beta glucans include cellulose, laminarin,lichenin, zymosan. Beta glucans are commonly found with b1,3; b1,4,and/or b1,6 linkages between glucose molecules. Glucanases can be either“exo” or “endo” depending on the location of the cleavage of thepolysaccharide. Alpha-, beta-, exo- and endo-glucanases are alleffective for stimulating plant growth.

The glucanase can comprise an endoglucanase, an exoglucanase, or acombination thereof.

The glucanase comprises an alpha-glucanase, a beta-glucanase, or acombination thereof.

Where the glucanase comprises an alpha-glucanase, the alpha-glucanasecan comprise an amylase, an alpha-1,4-glucanase, an alpha-1,6-glucanase,or a combination of any thereof.

Where the glucanase comprises a beta-glucanase, the beta-glucanase cancomprise an endo-beta-glucanase, an exo-beta-glucanase, or a combinationthereof.

The beta-glucanase can comprise a beta-1,3-glucanase, a beta 1,3/1,4glucanase, a beta-1,4-glucanase, a beta-1,6-glucanase, or a combinationof any thereof.

For example, the beta-glucanase can comprise the beta-1,3-glucanase, thebeta-1,4-glucanase, or a combination thereof.

The beta-1,3-glucanase can comprise a beta-1,3-endoglucanase.

The beta-1,4-glucanase can comprise a beta-1,4-endoglucanase.

The glucanase can comprise a cellulase, a glycoside hydrolase, axyloglucan:xyloglucosyl transferase, a cycloheptaglucanase, anoligoxyloglucan beta-glycosidase, a cyclohexaglucanase, a xyloglucanase,a cellulose 1,4-beta-cellobiosidase, a glucanendo-1,3-beta-D-glucosidase, a cyclomaltodextrinase, a glucan1,3-beta-glucosidase, a glucan endo-1,3-alpha-glucosidase, anendo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase, an exo-beta-1,4-glucanase, a lichenase, alaminarinase, a glucan 1,4-beta-glucosidase, a glucanendo-1,6-beta-glucosidase, a glucan 1,3-alpha-glucosidase, anamylopectinase, a laminarinase, or a combination of any thereof.

The glucanase can comprise a non-cellulolytic glucanase.

In any of the methods, seeds, or compositions wherein the glucanasecomprises a non-cellulolytic glucanase, the non-cellulolytic glucanasecan comprise a xyloglucanase, a lichenase, an amylase, anamyloglucanase, amyloglucosidase, a laminarinase, a beta-1,3-glucanase,a beta-1,6-glucanase, a beta-1,3/1,4-glucanase, an alpha-1,4-glucanase,an alpha 1,6-glucanase, or a combination of any thereof.

Where the glucanase comprises a xyloglucanase, the xyloglucanase cancomprise a xyloglucan-specific endo-beta-1,4-glucanase, axyloglucan-specific exo-beta-1,4-glucanase, or a combination thereof.

The xyloglucanase can comprise a Paenibacillus glucanase.

Where the glucanase comprises a xyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125),the method can further comprise applying a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO:128) to the plant growth medium, plant, plant seed, or area surroundingthe plant or the plant seed.

Where the glucanase comprises a xyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125),the seed can be further treated with a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 128).

Where the glucanase comprises a xyloglucanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 125),the composition can further comprise a mannanase (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 128).

The xyloglucanase and the mannanase can be present in the method, on theseed, or in the composition in synergistically effective amounts.

The glucanase can comprise a cellulase.

The glucanase can comprise an endocellulase, an exocellulase, or acombination thereof.

The glucanase can comprise an Acidothermus glucanase, a Trichodermaglucanase, an Aspergillus glucanase, a Paenibacillus glucanase, a Helixglucanase, a Bacillus glucanase, or a combination of any thereof.

For example, the glucanase can comprise a Bacillus circulans glucanase,a Bacillus subtilis glucanase (e.g., a Bacillus subtilis endoglucanaseor a Bacillus subtilis beta-glucosidase), a Bacillus thuringiensisglucanase (e.g., a Bacillus thuringiensis endoglucanase or a Bacillusthuringiensis beta-glucosidase), a Bacillus cereus glucanase (e.g., aBacillus cereus endoglucanase or a Bacillus cereus beta-glucosidase), aTrichoderma reesei glucanase (e.g., a Trichoderma reesei exocellulase ora Trichoderma reesi beta-1,4-endoglucanase), a Bacillus clausiiglucanase (e.g., a Bacillus clausii endoglucanase or a Bacillus clausiibeta-glucosidase), a Helix pomatia glucanase (e.g., a Helix pomatiabeta-1,3 endoglucanase), an Acidothermus cellulolyticus glucanase (e.g.,a Acidothermus cellulolyticus beta-1,4 endoglucanase), or a combinationof any thereof.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

The glucanase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identityto any one of SEQ ID NOs. 30-45, 125, and 126.

Where a glucanase is applied in a formulation, or where a seed is coatedwith a seed coating formulation comprising a glucanase, the formulationcan suitably comprise additional agrochemicals and/or a microbialinoculant. For example, the formulation can suitably comprise afungicide, insecticide, a nematicide, a fertilizer, a plant hormone, abacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, or a combination of anythereof. Particular fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, fertilizers,plant hormones, bacterial inoculants, and fungal inoculants aredescribed in Section XVI below.

I. Phytases

The enzyme can comprise a phytase.

Phytases act on phytic acids in soil, a source of free phosphate forplant growth. Phytases remove select phosphates off of the phytic acids,and the freed phosphates can be taken up by nearby plants.

Where the enzyme comprises a phytase, the phytase can comprise aTriticum aestivum phytase.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identity toany one of SEQ ID NOs. 132-134.

The phytase can comprise a mixture of phytases comprising SEQ ID NOs.132,133, and 134.

J. Acid Phosphatases

The enzyme can comprise an acid phosphatase.

Acid phosphatases act on insoluble and less soluble forms of phosphatesin the soil, and release them from for uptake by plants.

Where the enzyme comprises an acid phosphatase, the acid phosphatase cancomprise a Triticum aestivum acid phosphatase.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least98% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100%identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or 131.

The acid phosphatase can comprise a mixture of acid phosphatasescomprising SEQ ID NOs. 130 and 131.

In any of the methods described herein that involve the use of an acidphosphatase, the method can further comprise applying a second enzyme tothe plant growth medium, the plant, the plant seed, or the areasurrounding the plant or the plant seed.

In any of the plant seeds described herein that are treated or coatedwith an acid phosphatase, the seed can be further treated or coated witha second enzyme.

Any of the compositions described herein that comprise an acidphosphatase can further comprise a second enzyme.

The second enzyme can comprise a lipase, a phospholipase, a glucanase, axylanase, a pectinase, a mannanase, a lichenase, or a combination of anythereof. The lipase, phospholipase, glucanase, xylanase, pectinase,mannanase, or lichenase, can comprise any of the lipases,phospholipases, glucanases, xylanases, pectinases, mannanases, orlichenases described herein.

K. Pectinases

The enzyme can comprise a pectinase.

Pectinases act on pectin and related polysaccharides to release smallsugars. The small sugars are in turn taken up by the plant as carbonsources and can also feed the inherent microbes that surround the plant.

Where the enzyme comprises a pectinase, the pectinase can comprise apectolyase.

For example, the pectolyase can comprise an Aspergillus japonicuspectolyase.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 70%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 75%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 80%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 98%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99%identity to SEQ ID NO: 129.

The pectolyase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100% identityto SEQ ID NO: 129.

L. Mannanases

The enzyme can comprise a mannanase.

Mannanases act on glucomannans and related polysaccharides to releasesmall sugars. The small sugars are in turn taken up by the plant ascarbon sources and can also feed the inherent microbes that surround theplant.

Where the enzyme comprises a mannanase, the mannanase can comprise aBacillus mannanase.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 70%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 75%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 80%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 85%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 90%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 95%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 98%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having at least 99%identity to SEQ ID NO: 128.

The mannanase can comprise an amino sequence having 100% identity to SEQID NO: 128.

M. ACC Deaminases

The enzyme can comprise an ACC deaminase.

The ACC deaminase can comprise any of the enzymes described above inSection II.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least70% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least75% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least90% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least98% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least99% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

The ACC deaminase can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100%identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 7-12, 113, and 114.

N. Expansin Proteins

Expansin proteins aid plant walls in expanding during growth of theplant.

Expansins are thus particularly useful in any of the methods forstimulating plant growth described herein.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least75% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least98% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

The expansin protein can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 74.

VIII. Use of Fertilizers and/or Biostimulants with the Methods, Seeds,and Compositions

In any of the methods described herein, the method can further compriseapplying a fertilizer, a biostimulant, or a combination thereof to theplant growth medium, the plant, the plant seed, or the area surroundingthe plant or the plant seed.

For any of the plant seeds described herein, the plant seed can befurther treated or coated with a fertilizer, a biostimulant, or acombination thereof.

For any of the methods, seeds, or compositions described herein, thefertilizer can comprise nitrogen, phosphate (e.g., monoammoniumphosphate, diammonium phosphate, orthophosphate, orthopolyphosphate, ora combination of any thereof), potassium (e.g., potassium acetate),zinc, iron, selenium, boron, copper, or a combination of any thereof.

For example, the fertilizer can comprise 12% ammoniacal nitrogen and 58%available phosphate.

Additional fertilizers that can be used are described in Section XVIbelow.

The biostimulant can comprise a gibberellic acid, an indole-3-butyricacid, a kinetin, an auxin, an auxin homolog or derivative, or acombination of any thereof.

In any of the methods or seeds involving the use of a fertilizer and/ora biostimulant, the enzyme suitably comprises an acid phosphatase, aphospholipase, a mannanase, a glucanase, or a combination of anythereof. The acid phosphatase, phospholipase, mannanase, or glucanasecan comprise any of the acid phosphatases, phospholipases, mannanases,or glucanase described herein.

IX. Enzyme Preparations

In any of the methods, seeds, or compositions described herein involvingthe use of a free enzyme and/or an expansin protein, the enzyme orexpansin protein can comprise a crude cell extract containing the enzymeor expansin protein, a partially purified enzyme or expansin protein, ora substantially purified enzyme or expansin protein.

In any of the methods, seeds, or compositions described herein involvingthe use of a free enzyme and/or an expansin protein, the enzyme orexpansin protein preferably does not comprise enzyme or expansin proteinbound to exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member.

In any of the methods, seeds, or compositions described herein involvingthe use of a free enzyme and/or expansin protein, the enzyme or expansinprotein is preferably not bound to the exosporium of an intact Bacilluscereus family member spore.

X. Immobilization of the Enzyme and/or Expansin Protein

In any of the methods, seeds, or compositions described hereincomprising the use of a free enzyme and/or an expansin protein, theenzyme or expansin protein can comprise enzyme or expansin protein thatis immobilized on a matrix or support.

The matrix or support can comprise charcoal, biochar, nanocarbon,agarose, an alginate, cellulose, a cellulose derivative, silica,plastic, stainless steel, glass, polystyrene, a ceramic, dolomite, aclay, diatomaceous earth, talc, a polymer, a gum, a water-dispersablematerial, or a combination of any thereof.

Immobilization of the enzyme or expansin protein on the matrix orsupport preferably results in a slower release of the enzyme or expansinprotein into the environment or onto the plant or the plant seed ascompared to the release rate for the same non-immobilized enzyme orexpansin proteins under the same conditions.

XI. Methods for Making Free Enzyme

Free enzyme can be prepared by a number of standard biochemical andmolecular biology methods which are generally known in the art. Forexample, a gene encoding an enzyme can be amplified from chromosomal DNAusing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and cloned into a suitablevector (e.g., a plasmid vector). The vector suitably comprises amultiple cloning site into which the DNA molecule encoding the fusionprotein can be easily inserted. The vector also suitably contains aselectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene, such thatbacteria transformed, transfected, or mated with the vector can bereadily identified and isolated. Where the vector is a plasmid, theplasmid suitably also comprises an origin of replication. Alternatively,DNA coding for the enzyme protein can be integrated into the chromosomalDNA of the microorganism host.

The host can then be cultured and enzyme harvested from the cultures. Acrude cell extract can be used or the enzyme can be partially orsubstantially purified using standard biochemical techniques.

Suitable hosts for large-scale production of enzymes include but are notlimited to Bacillus species (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Bacilluslicheniformis, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillusthuringiensis, Bacillus fusiformis, Bacillus cereus, or Bacillusmycoides), Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae,Streptomyces species, Klebsiella species, Mucor species, Rhizopusspecies, Mortierella species, Kluyveromyces species, Candida species,Penicillium chrysogenum, Trichoderma species Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, Kluyveromyces lactis, Yarrowialipolytica, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Candida utilitis.

Enzymes can be used as collected from whole fermentation broth, orpartially or substantially purified from the fermentation batch culture.

Alternatively, enzymes can be produced by screening microorganisms andselecting microorganisms that express high levels of the enzyme. Thiscan be done by initial selection, enrichment, and/or screening innutritional media that contains an enzyme substrate as a nutrient sourcefor the microorganisms. Often additional selection is performed usingdifferential nutrition media that has an indicator to demonstrate theenzyme levels and activity of the enzymes produced by the identifiedmicroorganisms. These microorganisms can be mutated and screened forisolates that product enhanced levels of these enzymes. Thesemicroorganism can be utilized in large batch and continuous fermentationmethods to create and secrete ample quantities of enzymes. Optimizationof the fermentation process and conditions can generally increase theoutput of the microorganisms.

Enzymes can also be produced at high levels using eukaryotic cell lines,many of which can be engineered to secrete high levels of enzymes, withthe advantages of different levels of critical posttranslationalmodifications and reduction in host enzyme production issues. These canalso be scalable to larger cell culture production scale vessels andenzymes purified and treated as above. Examples of suitable eukaryoticcell lines for producing enzymes include, but are not limited to: insectcells derived from insects such as Bombyx mori, Mamestra brassicae,Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusiani, or Drosophila melanogaster; andvertebrate cell lines derived from a vertebrate such as a mouse, rat,hamster, human, or dog.

Other potential sources of enzymes include cell-free protein expressionvectors, including those derived from animal, bacterial, fungal, andplant origins.

Transgenic organisms such as plants, rabbit, mice, chicken, or frogs canalso be used for the production of recombinant enzymes. For examples,plants can be engineered to overexpress enzymes, and the enzymes canthen be collected from the plant and purified or used as crude extract.Such production systems allow for low cost expression of the enzymes andprovide a source of material to deliver to plants. These methods havethe added advantage of being easily scaled up and with minimal effort.

In each of these production systems, the yield and quality of thedesired enzymes can be improved through processes of genetic engineeringand formulation. For example, genetic engineering could involve creationof high level expression cassettes and production systems, removal ofprotease and degradative genes from the production microorganism,optimization of the enzyme for heat stability and long term storagestability, and enhancement of the ability of the enzyme or theproduction microorganism to secrete mature enzyme into the media forease of collection and use. Additionally, expression strains can be usedto induce point mutations that can lead to increased ability to produceadequate or increased levels of enzymes. In some cases, the productionmicroorganism can also be used and delivered to the plant seed, vicinityaround the plant, to the plant roots, or near the plant to get thedesired effect in situ on the plant.

Other sources of enzymes include extraction from animal, plant, insect,seaweed, or other biological extracts. Common sources of industrialscale enzymes created and/or purified in this manner include porcine andbovine internal tissues, such as abomasum, liver, mucosas, pancreas, aswell as plant sources such as Carica papaya. Another example would bethe purification of glucanases from barley.

Many commercial sources of enzymes come from tissues that have highlevels of target enzymes that can be used as is or in purified forms foragricultural uses.

XII. Signal Peptides

Any signal peptide can be used to modify any of the enzymes describedherein such that the enzyme will be secreted from a host microorganismin which it is expressed. The type of signal peptide used will dependprimarily on the identity of the host microorganism, since the secretionmachinery of different microorganisms will vary in their ability torecognize specific signal peptides. Illustrative signal peptidesequences are provided below in Table 16, together with the bacterialspecies in which the signal peptides are found in nature. The signalpeptides will result in secretion of a protein to which they are linkedin the genus of bacteria in which they are found as well as closelyrelated genera. For example, a signal sequence from Bacillusthuringiensis will cause secretion of a protein in bacteria of the genusBacillus, as well as bacteria of the genera Paenibacillus andLysinibacillus.

For ease of reference, descriptions of amino acid sequences forillustrative signal peptides that can be added to any of the enzymes orexpansin proteins described herein to cause secretion of the enzyme orexpansin proteins from a microorganism in which it is expressed areprovided below in Table 16. Any of the signal peptides listed in Table16 below can be added at the amino terminus of any of the enzymes orexpansin proteins described herein to cause secretion of the enzyme orexpansin protein.

TABLE 16 Amino acid sequences for signal peptides SEQ ID NO. for aminoacid Source Species for Signal Peptide sequence Bacillus thuringiensis49 Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis 4Q7 50 Bacillus cereusATCC 10987 51 Clostridium perfingens 52 Streptomyces chromofuscus 53Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 54 Caldicellulosiruptorsaccharolyticus 55 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 56Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 57 Geobacillusstearothermophilus 58 (Bacillus stearothermophilus) Bacillus subtilissubsp. subtilis str. 168 59 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 16860 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 61 Bacillus circulans 62Bacillus circulans 63 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 64Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 65 Bacillus subtilis subsp.subtilis str. 168 66 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 67Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis str. 168 68 Bacillus thuringiensis 69Bacillus thuringiensis 70 Bacillus thuringiensis 71 Bacilluspseudomycoides 72 Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis 4Q7 73Bacillus cereus 135 Burkholderia cepacia 137 Pseudomonas fluorescens 138Streptomyces species N174 139 Paenibacillus species 140 Aspergillussaitoi 141 Bacillus sp. 142 Aspergillus japonicus 143 Triticum aestivum144 Triticum aestivum 145 Triticum aestivum 146 Triticum aestivum 147

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 70% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73,135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 75% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73,135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 80% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73,135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 85% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73,135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 90% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73, 135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 95% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73, 135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 98% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73, 135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving at least 99% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73, 135and 137-147.

For example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequencehaving 100% identity to with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-73, 135 and137-147.

Signal peptides suitable for use in bacteria of the genus Bacillus,bacteria of the genus Paenibacillus, or bacteria of the genusLysinibacillus are provided in SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

Thus, for example, the signal peptide can comprise an amino acidsequence having at least 70% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51,54, 56-73, 135, 139, 140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least75% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least85% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least90% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139,140, and 142.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence having 100%identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139, 140,and 142.

Thus, for example, when the signal peptide comprises an amino acidsequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%,at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequenceidentity with any one of SEQ ID NOs. 49-51, 54, 56-73, 135, 139, 140,and 142, the microorganism in which the enzyme or expansin protein isexpressed suitably comprises a bacterium of the genus Bacillus, abacterium of the genus Paenibacillus, a bacterium of the genusLysinibacillus, a bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas, or a combinationof any thereof.

For example, the microorganism can comprise Bacillus mycoides, Bacilluspseudomycoides, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus firmus, Bacillusthuringiensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusaryabbattai, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus circulans, Bacillusflexus, Bacillus nealsonii, Bacillus pumulis, Bacillus licheniformis,Lysinibacillus macroides, Lysinibacillus sphericus, Lysinibacillusfusiformis, or a combination of any thereof.

The microorganism preferably comprises Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacilluscereus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus mycoides, Lysinibacillusmacroides, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Lysinibacillus sphericus, or acombination of any thereof.

The signal peptide is preferably present at the amino terminus of theenzyme or expansin protein.

XIII. Recombinant Microorganisms

Recombinant microorganisms, formulations and compositions containing therecombinant microorganisms, methods for using the recombinantmicroorganisms, and seeds treated with the recombinant microorganismsare described herein above.

In any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, compositions,methods, or seeds described herein, the enzyme or expansin protein canbe expressed under the control of a constitutive promoter.

In any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, compositions,methods, or seeds described herein, the enzyme or expansin protein canbe expressed under the control of an inducible promoter.

For any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, compositions,methods, or seeds described herein, the recombinant microorganism cancomprise a bacterium of the genus Bacillus, a bacterium of the genusPaenibacillus, a bacterium of the genus Lysinibacillus, a fungus of thegenus Penicillium, a bacterium of the genus Glomus, a bacterium of thegenus Pseudomonas, a bacterium of the genus Arthrobacter, a bacterium ofthe genus Paracoccus, a bacterium of the genus Rhizobium, a bacterium ofthe genus Bradyrhizobium, a bacterium of the genus Azosprillium, abacterium of the genus Enterobacter, a bacterium of the genusEscherichia, or a combination of any thereof.

Where the recombinant microorganism comprises a recombinantspore-forming microorganism, the recombinant spore-forming microorganismcan comprise a bacterium of the genus Bacillus, a bacterium of the genusPaenibacillus, a bacterium of the genus Lysinibacillus, a fungus of thegenus Penicillium, a fungus of the genus Glomus, or a combination of anythereof.

For any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, compositions,methods, or seeds described herein, the recombinant microorganismsuitably comprises a bacterium of the genus Bacillus, a bacterium of thegenus Paenibacillus, a bacterium of the genus Lysinibacillus, or acombination of any thereof.

For example, the recombinant microorganism can comprise Bacillusmycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus cereus, Bacillusthuringiensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusaryabbattai, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus circulans, Bacillusflexus, Bacillus nealsonii, Bacillus pumulis, Lysinibacillus macroides,Lysinibacillus sphericus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, or a combination ofany thereof.

The recombinant microorganism suitably comprises Bacillus thuringiensis,Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Lysinibacillus macroides,Lysinibacillus sphericus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, or a combinationthereof.

For any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, methods, orseeds described herein, the recombinant microorganism can comprise aplant-growth promoting strain of bacteria, an endophytic strain ofbacteria, or a strain of bacteria that is both plant-growth promotingand endophytic.

The strain can produce an insecticidal toxin (e.g., a Cry toxin),produce a fungicidal compound (e.g., a β-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, alyticase, or a combination thereof), produce a nematicidal compound(e.g., a Cry toxin), produce a bacteriocidal compound, be resistant toone or more antibiotics, comprise one or more freely replicatingplasmids, bind to plant roots, colonize plant roots, form biofilms,solubilize nutrients, secrete organic acids, or combinations thereof.

For example, the strain can comprise:

(a) Bacillus aryabhattai CAP53 (NRRL No. B-50819),

(b) Bacillus aryabhattai CAP56 (NRRL No. B-50817),

(c) Bacillus flexus BT054 (NRRL No. B-50816),

(d) Paracoccus kondratievae NC35 (NRRL No. B-50820),

(e) Bacillus mycoides BT155 (NRRL No. B-50921),

(f) Enterobacter cloacae CAP12 (NRRL No. B-50822),

(g) Bacillus nealsonii BOBA57 (NRRL No. NRRL B-50821),

(h) Bacillus mycoides EE118 (NRRL No. B-50918),

(i) Bacillus subtilis EE148 (NRRL No. B-50927),

(j) Alcaligenes faecalis EE107 (NRRL No. B-50920),

(k) Bacillus mycoides EE141 (NRRL NO. B-50916),

(l) Bacillus mycoides BT46-3 (NRRL No. B-50922),

(m)Bacillus cereus family member EE128 (NRRL No. B-50917),

(n) Paenibacillus massiliensis BT23 (NRRL No. B-50923),

(o) Bacillus cereus family member EE349 (NRRL No. B-50928),

(p) Bacillus subtilis EE218 (NRRL No. B-50926),

(q) Bacillus megaterium EE281 (NRRL No. B-50925),

(r) Bacillus cereus family member EE-B00377 (NRRL B-67119);

(s) Bacillus pseudomycoides EE-B00366 (NRRL B-67120),

(t) Bacillus mycoides EE-B00363 (NRRL B-67121),

(u) Bacillus pumilus EE-B00143 (NRRL B-67123),

(v) Bacillus thuringiensis EE-B00184 (NRRL B-67122),

(w)Bacillus mycoides EE116 (NRRL No. B-50919),

(x) Bacillus cereus family member EE417 (NRRL No. B-50974),

(y) Bacillus subtilis EE442 (NRRL No. B-50975),

(z) Bacillus subtilis EE443 (NRRL No. B-50976),

(aa) Bacillus cereus family member EE444 (NRRL No. B-50977),

(bb) Bacillus subtilis EE405 (NRRL No. B-50978),

(cc) Bacillus cereus family member EE439 (NRRL No. B-50979),

(dd) Bacillus megaterium EE385 (NRRL No. B-50980),

(ee) Bacillus cereus family member EE387 (NRRL No. B-50981),

(ff) Bacillus circulans EE388 (NRRL No. B-50982),

(gg) Bacillus thuringiensis EE319 (NRRL No. B-50983),

(hh) Bacillus cereus family member EE377 (NRRL No. B-67119),

(ii) Bacillus mycoides EE363 (NRRL No. B-67121),

(jj) Bacillus pseudomycoides EE366 (NRRL No. B-67120);

(kk) Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A (NRRL No. B-50924);

or a combination of any thereof.

Each of these strains has been deposited with the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS),having the address 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604U.S.A., and are identified by the NRRL deposit numbers provided inparentheses. Strains (a)-(d), (f), and (g) were deposited on Mar. 11,2013. Strains (e), (h)-(q), (w), and (kk) were deposited on Mar. 10,2014. Strains (x)-(ff) were deposited on Sep. 10, 2014. Strain (gg) wasdeposited on Sep. 17, 2014. Strains (r)-(v), (hh), (ii), and (jj) weredeposited on Aug. 19, 2015. Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A is also knownas Bacillus thuringiensis 4Q7.

The isolation and characterization of these strains is describedhereinbelow in the Examples. Partial 16S ribosomal RNA sequences foreach of these strains are provided in the sequence listing andsummarized below in Table 17, together with their SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE 17 Partial 16S ribosomal RNA sequences SEQ ID NO. for partial 16Sribosomal Strain RNA sequence Bacillus mycoides EE118 75 Bacillusmycoides EE141 76 Bacillus mycoides BT46-3 77 Bacillus cereus familymember EE128 78 Bacillus cereus family member EE349 79 Bacillus mycoidesB T155 80 Bacillus cereus family member EE439 81 Bacillus thuringiensisEE417 82 Bacillus cereus EE444 83 Bacillus thuringiensis EE319 84Bacillus megaterium EE385 85 Bacillus sp. EE387 86 Bacillus circulansEE388 87 Bacillus subtilis EE405 88 Lysinibacillus fusiformis EE442 89Lysinibacillus sphaericus EE443 90 Bacillus aryabhattai CAP53 91Bacillus aryabhattai CAP56 92 Bacillus flexus BT054 93 Paracoccuskondratievae NC35 94 Enterobacter cloacae CAP 12 95 Bacillus nealsoniiBOBA57 96 Bacillus subtilis EE148 97 Alcaligenes faecalis EE107 98Paenibacillus massiliensis 99 Bacillus subtilis EE218 100 Bacillusmegaterium EE281 101 Bacillus thuringiensis EE184 102 Bacillus mycoidesEE363 103 Bacillus pseudomycoides EE366 104 Bacillus cereus familymember EE377 105 Bacillus pumulis EE143 106 Bacillus mycoides EE116 107Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A 136

An endophytic microorganism can be used for expression of the enzymes.While many microorganism of the rhizosphere have a symbioticrelationship with the plant, only a small subset of these microorganismsare capable of being internalized into the plant and growingendophytically. Several Bacillus cereus family member strains andseveral non-Bacillus cereus family member bacterial strains have beenisolated from corn seedlings and found to have the ability to growendophytically in plants. Other endophytic microorganisms would also beuseful including, but not limited to, bacterial endophytes from genera:Cellulomonas, Clavibacter, Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, Paenibacilllus,Enterobacter, Bacillus, Klebsiella, Arthrobacter, Lysinibacillus,Pantoea, Actinomyces, Streptomyces, Alcaligenes, and Microbacterium.Fungal endophytes can also be used, including fungal endophytes from thegenera: Neotyphodium, Gliocadium, Acremonium lolii, Clavicipitaceae,Ascomycetes, Idriella, Xylariaceous, Ascomycotina, Deuteromycotina,Aspergillus, Phomopsis, Wardomyces, Fusarium, Dreschrella, Pestalotia,Curvularia, Humicola, Nodulisporium, and Penicillium.

Many microorganisms can colonize, live next to, live on, or becomeendophytic to a plant. These microorganisms would provide a usefuldelivery mechanism of target enzymes to the plant, the seed, thevicinity of the plant, or the plant growth medium. Microorganismsselected that can colonize the roots or become endophytic can bescreened, recombinantly modified to express or overexpress an enzyme,and produced commercially and applied on the seed, to the plant, or thevicinity around the plant in order to have the strain produce the targetenzymes in situ (at or near the plant). These microorganisms can also beenhanced through point mutations or through genetic engineering toexpress higher or novel target enzymes to benefit the plants. Pointmutations can be screened by mutating the host microorganism, andselecting for mutants with higher enzyme expression levels throughenzyme assays, or using selective media that identifies high enzymeexpressing strains. Common strains that are beneficial producers ofenzymes as well as colonizers/endophytic species include: Bacillusargri, Bacillus aizawai, Bacillus albolactis, Bacillusamyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillusendoparasiticus, Bacillus endorhythmos, Bacillus kurstaki, Bacilluslacticola, Bacillus lactimorbus, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lactis,Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus lentimorbus, Bacillus licheniformis,Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus medusa, Bacillus metiens, Bacillus natto,Bacillus nigrificans, Bacillus popillae, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillussiamensis, Bacillus sphearicus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusthuringiensis, Bacillus unifagellatu, other Bacillus species or acombination thereof plus those listed in the category of Bacillus Genusin Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, First Ed. (1986), herebyincorporated in full by reference. Other potential strains couldinclude, but are not limited to: Cellulomonas, Clavibacter,Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, Paenibacilllus, Enterobacter, Bacillus,Klebsiella, Arthrobacter, Lysinibacillus, Pantoea, Actinomyces,Saccharomyces, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Candida, Streptomyces,Alcaligenes, Chromatiales, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Rhodospiralles,Rhizobiales, Rhizobacteracae, and Microbacterium.

For any of the methods or seeds described herein, the recombinantmicroorganism can comprise a mixture of two or more of any of therecombinant microorganisms described herein.

For any of the recombinant microorganisms, formulations, methods, orseeds described herein, the recombinant microorganism can beinactivated. Inactivation results in microorganisms that are unable toreproduce. Inactivation of microorganisms can be advantageous, forexample because it allows for delivery of the microorganism to a plantor a plant growth medium while reducing or eliminating any detrimentaleffects that the live microorganism may have on a plant or on theenvironment. The recombinant microorganism can be inactivated by anyphysical or chemical means, e.g., by heat treatment, gamma irradiation,x-ray irradiation, UV-A irradiation, UV-B irradiation, or treatment witha solvent such as gluteraldehyde, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide,acetic acid, bleach, chloroform, or phenol, or combination of anythereof.

XIV. Methods for Making Recombinant Microorganisms

The recombinant microorganisms can be made using standard molecularbiology methods known in the art. For example, a gene encoding an enzymecan be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Where a signalsequence is used, the gene coding for the enzyme can be ligated to DNAcoding for the signal sequence. The gene can then be cloned into anysuitable vector, for example a plasmid vector. The vector suitablycomprises a multiple cloning site into which the DNA molecule encodingthe fusion protein can be easily inserted. The vector also suitablycontains a selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene,such that bacteria transformed, transfected, or mated with the vectorcan be readily identified and isolated. Where the vector is a plasmid,the plasmid suitably also comprises an origin of replication.Alternatively, DNA coding for the enzyme or expansin protein can beintegrated into the chromosomal DNA of the microorganism host.

XV. Effects on Plants

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism can exhibitincreased growth as compared to plants grown in the absence of theenzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism canexhibit increased growth as compared to plants grown from seeds nottreated with the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the methods or seeds described herein, seeds to which theenzyme or the microorganism has been applied can exhibit increasedgermination rates as compared to seeds to which the enzyme ormicroorganism has not been applied, under the same conditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism can exhibitincreased nutrient uptake as compared to plants grown in the absence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism canexhibit increased nutrient uptake as compared to plants grown from seedsnot treated with the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit decreased susceptibility toa pathogen as compared to plants grown in the absence of the enzyme orthe microorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit decreasedsusceptibility to a pathogen as compared to plants grown from seeds nottreated with the free enzyme or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit decreased susceptibility toan environmental stress as compared to plants grown in the absence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit decreasedsusceptibility to an environmental stress as compared to plants grownfrom seeds not treated with the free enzyme or the microorganism, underthe same conditions.

For example, the plants can exhibit decreased susceptibility to drought,flood, heat, freezing, salt, heavy metals, low pH, high pH, or acombination of any thereof.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism can exhibitincreased nutrient content as compared to plants grown in the absence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, seeds treated with the freeenzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism or plants grown fromseeds treated with the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or themicroorganism can exhibit increased nutrient content as compared toseeds not treated with the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or themicroorganism or plants grown from seeds not treated with the freeenzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

For example, the nutrient can comprise a polysaccharide, a protein,phytic acid, a phosphatate, a phospholipid, or a combination of anythereof.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit increased root nodulation ascompared to plants grown in the absence of the enzyme or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit increased rootnodulation as compared to plants grown from seeds not treated with thefree enzyme or the microorganism, under the same conditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit slower fruit ripening ascompared to plants grown in the absence of the enzyme or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit slower fruitripening as compared to plants grown from seeds not treated with thefree enzyme or the microorganism, under the same conditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism can exhibitgreater crop yield as compared to plants grown in the absence of theenzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism, under the sameconditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism canexhibit greater crop yield as compared to plants grown from seeds nottreated with the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

In any of the methods described herein, plants grown in the presence ofthe enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit altered leaf senescence ascompared to plants grown in the absence of the enzyme or themicroorganism, under the same conditions.

For any of the seeds described herein, plants grown from seeds treatedwith the free enzyme or the microorganism can exhibit altered leafsenescence as compared to plants grown from seeds not treated with theenzyme or the microorganism, under the same conditions.

Slower leaf senescence can lead to a greater level of photosynthesislate in the season, which in turn leads to more photosynthates, moregrain fill, and a larger grain and/or increased yield.

XVI. Formulations, Compositions, and Co-Application of Agrochemicals

In any of the methods described herein, the method can comprise applyingthe enzyme, the expansin protein, or the microorganism in a formulationcomprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

For any of the seeds described herein, the seed can be coated with aformulation comprising the free enzyme, the expansin protein, or therecombinant microorganism and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

Any of the compositions described herein can comprise an agriculturallyacceptable carrier.

The agriculturally acceptable carrier can comprise a dispersant, asurfactant, an additive, water, a thickener, an anti-caking agent,residue breakdown product, a composting formulation, a granularapplication, diatomaceous earth, an oil, a coloring agent, a stabilizer,a preservative, a polymer, a coating, or a combination thereof.

The additive can comprises an oil, a gum, a resin, a clay, apolyoxyethylene glycol, a terpene, a viscid organic, a fatty acid ester,a sulfated alcohol, an alkyl sulfonate, a petroleum sulfonate, analcohol sulfate, a sodium alkyl butane diamate, a polyester of sodiumthiobutane dioate, a benzene acetonitrile derivative, a proteinaceousmaterial (e.g., a milk product, wheat flour, soybean meal, blood,albumin, gelatin, alfalfa meal, yeast extract, or a combination of anythereof), or a combination of any thereof.

The thickener can comprise a long chain alkylsulfonate of polyethyleneglycol, a polyoxyethylene oleate, or a combination of any thereof.

The surfactant can comprise a heavy petroleum oil, a heavy petroleumdistillate, a polyol fatty acid ester, a polyethoxylated fatty acidester, an aryl alkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, an alkyl amine acetate, analkyl aryl sulfonate, a polyhydric alcohol, an alkyl phosphate, or acombination of any thereof.

The surfactant can comprise a non-ionic surfactant.

The anti-caking agent can comprise a sodium salt (e.g., a sodium salt ofmonomethyl naphthalene sulfonate, a sodium salt of dimethyl naphthalenesulfonate, a sodium sulfite, a sodium sulfate, or a combination of anythereof), a calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, or a combination ofany thereof.

The agriculturally acceptable carrier can comprise vermiculite,charcoal, sugar factory carbonation press mud, rice husk, carboxymethylcellulose, peat, perlite, fine sand, calcium carbonate, flour, alum, astarch, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or a combination of any thereof.

The formulation or composition can comprise a seed coating formulationor composition, a liquid formulation or composition for application toplants or to a plant growth medium, or a solid formulation orcomposition for application to plants or to a plant growth medium.

The seed coating formulation or composition can comprise an aqueous oroil-based solution for application to seeds or a powder or granularformulation for application to seeds.

The liquid formulation or composition for application to plants or to aplant growth medium can comprise a concentrated formulation orcomposition or a ready-to-use formulation or composition.

The solid formulation or composition for application to plants or to aplant growth medium can comprise a granular formulation or compositionor a powder agent.

The formulation or composition can further comprise an agrochemical.

Alternatively or in addition, any of the methods described herein canfurther comprise applying an agrochemical to the plant growth medium,the plant, the plant seed, or the area surrounding the plant or theplant seed.

Any of the plant seeds described herein can be further treated or coatedwith an agrochemical.

The agrochemical can comprise a fertilizer, a micronutrient fertilizermaterial, an insecticide, a nematicide, an herbicide, a plant growthamendment, a fungicide, an insecticide, a molluscicide, an algicide, abacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, a plant hormone, or acombination of any thereof.

The bacterial inoculant can comprise a plant-growth promoting strain ofbacteria, an endophytic strain of bacteria, or a strain of bacteria thatis both plant-growth promoting and endophytic.

The plant-growth promoting strain of bacteria can produce aninsecticidal toxin (e.g., a Cry toxin), produce a fungicidal compound(e.g., a β-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, a lyticase, or a combinationthereof), produce a nematicidal compound (e.g., a Cry toxin), produce abacteriocidal compound, be resistant to one or more antibiotics,comprise one or more freely replicating plasmids, bind to plant roots,colonize plant roots, form biofilms, solubilize nutrients, secreteorganic acids, or combinations thereof.

The plant-growth promoting strain of bacteria can comprise Bacillusaryabhattai CAP53 (NRRL No. B-50819), Bacillus aryabhattai CAP56 (NRRLNo. B-50817), Bacillus flexus BT054 (NRRL No. B-50816), Paracoccuskondratievae NC35 (NRRL No. B-50820), Bacillus mycoides BT155 (NRRL No.B-50921), Enterobacter cloacae CAP12 (NRRL No. B-50822), Bacillusnealsonii BOBA57 (NRRL No. NRRL B-50821), Bacillus mycoides EE118 (NRRLNo. B-50918), Bacillus subtilis EE148 (NRRL No. B-50927), Alcaligenesfaecalis EE107 (NRRL No. B-50920), Bacillus mycoides EE141 (NRRL NO.B-50916), Bacillus mycoides BT46-3 (NRRL No. B-50922), Bacillus cereusfamily member EE128 (NRRL No. B-50917), Paenibacillus massiliensis BT23(NRRL No. B-50923), Bacillus cereus family member EE349 (NRRL No.B-50928), Bacillus subtilis EE218 (NRRL No. B-50926), Bacillusmegaterium EE281 (NRRL No. B-50925), Bacillus cereus family memberEE-B00377 (NRRL B-67119); Bacillus pseudomycoides EE-B00366 (NRRLB-67120), Bacillus mycoides EE-B00363 (NRRL B-67121), Bacillus pumilusEE-B00143 (NRRL B-67123), or Bacillus thuringiensis EE-B00184 (NRRLB-67122), Bacillus mycoides EE116 (NRRL No. B-50919), Bacillus cereusfamily member EE417 (NRRL No. B-50974), Bacillus subtilis EE442 (NRRLNo. B-50975), Bacillus subtilis EE443 (NRRL No. B-50976), Bacilluscereus family member EE444 (NRRL No. B-50977), Bacillus subtilis EE405(NRRL No. B-50978), Bacillus cereus family member EE439 (NRRL No.B-50979), Bacillus megaterium EE385 (NRRL No. B-50980), Bacillus cereusfamily member EE387 (NRRL No. B-50981), Bacillus circulans EE388 (NRRLNo. B-50982), Bacillus thuringiensis EE319 (NRRL No. B-50983), Bacilluscereus family member EE377 (NRRL No. B-67119), Bacillus mycoides EE363(NRRL No. B-67121), Bacillus pseudomycoides EE366 (NRRL No. B-67120),Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A (NRRL No. B-50924), or a combination ofany thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a fertilizer.

The fertilizer can comprise a liquid fertilizer or a dry fertilizer.

The agrochemical can comprise a micronutrient fertilizer material, themicronutrient fertilizer material comprising boric acid, a borate, aboron frit, copper sulfate, a copper frit, a copper chelate, a sodiumtetraborate decahydrate, an iron sulfate, an iron oxide, iron ammoniumsulfate, an iron frit, an iron chelate, a manganese sulfate, a manganeseoxide, a manganese chelate, a manganese chloride, a manganese frit, asodium molybdate, molybdic acid, a zinc sulfate, a zinc oxide, a zinccarbonate, a zinc frit, zinc phosphate, a zinc chelate, or a combinationof any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise an insecticide, the insecticide comprisingan organophosphate, a carbamate, a pyrethroid, an acaricide, an alkylphthalate, boric acid, a borate, a fluoride, sulfur, a haloaromaticsubstituted urea, a hydrocarbon ester, a biologically-based insecticide,or a combination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise an herbicide, the herbicide comprising achlorophenoxy compound, a nitrophenolic compound, a nitrocresoliccompound, a dipyridyl compound, an acetamide, an aliphatic acid, ananilide, a benzamide, a benzoic acid, a benzoic acid derivative, anisicacid, an anisic acid derivative, a benzonitrile, benzothiadiazinonedioxide, a thiocarbamate, a carbamate, a carbanilate, chloropyridinyl, acyclohexenone derivative, a dinitroaminobenzene derivative, afluorodinitrotoluidine compound, isoxazolidinone, nicotinic acid,isopropylamine, an isopropylamine derivative, oxadiazolinone, aphosphate, a phthalate, a picolinic acid compound, a triazine, atriazole, a uracil, a urea derivative, endothall, sodium chlorate, or acombination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a fungicide, the fungicide comprising asubstituted benzene, a thiocarbamate, an ethylene bis dithiocarbamate, athiophthalidamide, a copper compound, an organomercury compound, anorganotin compound, a cadmium compound, anilazine, benomyl,cyclohexamide, dodine, etridiazole, iprodione, metlaxyl, thiamimefon,triforine, or a combination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a fungal inoculant, the fungal inoculantcomprising a fungal inoculant of the family Glomeraceae, a fungalinoculant of the family Claroidoglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of thefamily Gigasporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Acaulosporaceae,a fungal inoculant of the family Sacculosporaceae, a fungal inoculant ofthe family Entrophosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the familyPacidsporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Diversisporaceae, afungal inoculant of the family Paraglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant ofthe family Archaeosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the familyGeosiphonaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Ambisporaceae, a fungalinoculant of the family Scutellosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of thefamily Dentiscultataceae, a fungal inoculant of the familyRacocetraceae, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Basidiomycota, a fungalinoculant of the phylum Ascomycota, a fungal inoculant of the phylumZygomycota, or a combination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a bacterial inoculant, the bacterialinoculant comprising a bacterial inoculant of the genus Rhizobium, abacterial inoculant of the genus Bradyrhizobium, a bacterial inoculantof the genus Mesorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genusAzorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Allorhizobium, abacterial inoculant of the genus Sinorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant ofthe genus Kluyvera, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azotobacter, abacterial inoculant of the genus Pseudomonas, a bacterial inoculant ofthe genus Azospirillium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bacillus, abacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces, a bacterial inoculant ofthe genus Paenibacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paracoccus,a bacterial inoculant of the genus Enterobacter, a bacterial inoculantof the genus Alcaligenes, a bacterial inoculant of the genusMycobacterium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Trichoderma, abacterial inoculant of the genus Gliocladium, a bacterial inoculant ofthe genus Glomus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Klebsiella, or acombination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise an effective amount of a rhizobacteria.The rhizobacteria can comprise Bradyrhizobium genus bacteria (e.g.,Bradyrhizobium japonicum), Rhizobium genus bacteria (e.g., Rhizobiumphaseoli, Rhizobium leguminosarum, or a combination thereof), or acombination thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a fungicide, the fungicide comprisesaldimorph, ampropylfos, ampropylfos potassium, andoprim, anilazine,azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, benzamacril,benzamacryl-isobutyl, bialaphos, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol,blasticidin-S, boscalid, bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate, calciumpolysulphide, capsimycin, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carvon,quinomethionate, chlobenthiazone, chlorfenazole, chloroneb,chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, clozylacon, cufraneb,cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, cyprofuram, debacarb,dichlorophen, diclobutrazole, diclofluanid, diclomezine, dicloran,diethofencarb, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole,diniconazole-M, dinocap, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, ditalimfos,dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole,etaconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadon, fenapanil, fenarimol,fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenitropan, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin,fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone,fluazinam, flumetover, fluoromide, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol,flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet,fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-sodium, fthalide, fuberidazole, furalaxyl,furametpyr, furcarbonil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furmecyclox,guazatine, hexachlorobenzene, hexaconazole, hymexazole, imazalil,imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadinetriacetate, iodocarb, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, irumamycin,isoprothiolane, isovaledione, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, copperpreparations, such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copperoxychloride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeauxmixture, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, meferimzone, mepanipyrim, mepronil,metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, metiram, metomeclam,metsulfovax, mildiomycin, myclobutanil, myclozolin, nickeldimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace,oxadixyl, oxamocarb, oxolinic acid, oxycarboxim, oxyfenthiin,paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phosdiphen,pimaricin, piperalin, polyoxin, polyoxorim, probenazole, prochloraz,procymidone, propamocarb, propanosine-sodium, propiconazole, propineb,prothiocinazole, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon,pyroxyfur, quinconazole, quintozene (PCNB), sulphur and sulphurpreparations, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetcyclasis,tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thicyofen, thifluzamide,thiophanate-methyl, tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid,triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, triazoxide, trichlamide,tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine,uniconazole, validamycin A, vinclozolin, viniconazole, zarilamide,zineb, ziram and also Dagger G, OK-8705, OK-8801,a-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-(3-(2-phenoxyethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol,a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-[3-fluoro-3-propyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol,a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-[3-methoxy-a-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol,a-(5-methyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)-[3-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methylene]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol,(5RS,6RS)-6-hydroxy-2,2,7,7-tetramethyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3-octanone,(E)-a-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-phenoxy-phenylacetamide,1-isopropyl{2-methyl-1-[[[1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-propyl}carbamate,1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-ethanone-O-(phenylmethyl)-oxime, 1-(2-methyl-1-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,1-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-propenyl)-2,5-pyrrolidindione,1-[(diiodomethyl)-sulphonyl]-4-methyl-benzene,1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]-methyl]-1H-imidazole,1-[[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyloxiranyl]-methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole,1-[1-[2-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-methoxy]-phenyl]-ethenyl]-1H-imidazole,1-methyl-5-nonyl-2-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyrrolidinole,2′,6′-dibromo-2-methyl-4′-trifluoromethoxy-4′-trifluoro-methyl-1,3-thiazole-carboxanilide,2,2-dichloro-N-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl]-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide,2,6-dichloro-5-(methylthio)-4-pyrimidinyl-thiocyanate,2,6-dichloro-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-benzamide,2,6-dichloro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methyl]-benzamide,2-(2,3,3-triiodo-2-propenyl)-2H-tetrazole,2-[(1-methylethyl)-sulphonyl]-5-(trichloromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2-[[6-deoxy-4-O-(4-O-methyl-(3-D-glycopyranosyl)-a-D-glucopyranosyl]-amino]-4-methoxy-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile,2-aminobutane, 2-bromo-2-(bromomethyl)-pentanedinitrile,2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide,2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(isothiocyanatomethyl)-acetamide,2-phenylphenol (OPP),3,4-dichloro-1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)-phenyl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione,3,5-dichloro-N-[cyano[(1-methyl-2-propynyl)-oxy]-methyl]-benzamide,3-(1,1-dimethylpropyl-1-oxo-1H-indene-2-carbonitrile,3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethoxy-3-isoxazolidinyl]-pyridine,4-chloro-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazole-1-sulphonamide,4-methyl-tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-5(4H)-one,8-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-ethyl-N-propyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4,5]decane-2-methanamine,8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate,9H-xanthene-2-[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]-9-carboxylic hydrazide,bis-(1-methylethyl)-3-methyl-4-[(3-methylbenzoyl)-oxy]-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate,cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol,cis-4-[3-[4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-phenyl-2-methylpropyl]-2,6-dimethyl-morpholinehydrochloride, ethyl [(4-chlorophenyl)-azo]-cyanoacetate, potassiumbicarbonate, methanetetrathiol-sodium salt, methyl1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate,methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(5-isoxazolylcarbonyl)-DL-alaninate,methyl N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-DL-alaninate,N-(2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide,N-(2,6-dimethyl phenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanyl)-acetamide, N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-thienyl)-acetamide,N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-4-methyl-3-nitro-benzenesulphonamide,N-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinamine,N-(4-hexylphenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinamine,N-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-2-methoxy-N-(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)-acetamide,N-(6-methoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxamide,N-[2,2,2-trichloro-1-[(chloroacetyl)-amino]-ethyl]-benzamide,N-[3-chloro-4,5-bis(2-propinyloxy)-phenyl]-N′-methoxy-methanimidamide,N-formyl-N-hydroxy-DL-alanine-sodium salt, 0,0-diethyl[2-(dipropylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-ethylphosphoramidothioate, 0-methylS-phenyl phenylpropylphosphoramidothioate, S-methyl1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carbothioate, andspiro[2H]-1-benzopyrane-2,1′(3′H)-isobenzofuran]-3′-one,N-trichloromethyl)thio-4-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboximide,tetramethylthioperoxydicarbonic diamide, methylN-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(methoxyacetyl)-DL-alaninate,4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1-H-pyrrol-3-carbonitril, or acombination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a bacterial inoculant of the genusBacillus, the bacterial inoculant of the genus Bacillus comprisingBacillus argri, Bacillus aizawai, Bacillus albolactis, Bacillusamyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillusendoparasiticus, Bacillus endorhythmos, Bacillus kurstaki, Bacilluslacticola, Bacillus lactimorbus, Bacillus lactis, Bacillus laterosporus,Bacillus lentimorbus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium,Bacillus medusa, Bacillus metiens, Bacillus natto, Bacillus nigrificans,Bacillus popillae, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillussphearicus, Bacillus spp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis,Bacillus unifagellatu, or a combination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise an herbicide, the herbicide comprising2,4-D, 2,4-DB, acetochlor, acifluorfen, alachlor, ametryn, atrazine,aminopyralid, benefin, bensulfuron, bensulide, bentazon, bromacil,bromoxynil, butylate, carfentrazone, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron,clethodim, clomazone, clopyralid, cloransulam, cycloate, DCPA,desmedipham, dicamba, dichlobenil, diclofop, diclosulam, diflufenzopyr,dimethenamid, diquat, diuron, DSMA, endothall, EPTC, ethalfluralin,ethofumesate, fenoxaprop, fluazifop-P, flucarbazone, flufenacet,flumetsulam, flumiclorac, flumioxazin, fluometuron, fluroxypyr,fomesafen, foramsulfuron, glufosinate, glyphosate, halosulfuron,hexazinone, imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazaquin, imazethapyr,isoxaben, isoxaflutole, lactofen, linuron, MCPA, MCPB, mesotrione,metolachlor-s, metribuzin, metsulfuron, molinate, MSMA, napropamide,naptalam, nicosulfuron, norflurazon, oryzalin, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen,paraquat, pelargonic acid, pendimethalin, phenmedipham, picloram,primisulfuron, prodiamine, prometryn, pronamide, propanil, prosulfuron,pyrazon, pyrithiobac, quinclorac, quizalofop, rimsulfuron, sethoxydim,siduron, simazine, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron,tebuthiuron, terbacil, thiazopyr, thifensulfuron, thiobencarb,tralkoxydim, triallate, triasulfuron, tribenuron, triclopyr,trifluralin, triflusulfuron, or a combination of any thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a fertilizer, the fertilizer comprisingammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate nitrate, ammoniumchloride, ammonium bisulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammoniumthiosulfate, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium polyphosphate,aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, calciumsulfate, calcined magnesite, calcitic limestone, calcium oxide, calciumnitrate, dolomitic limestone, hydrated lime, calcium carbonate,diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, magnesium nitrate,magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassiummagnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium nitrates, magnesianlimestone, magnesia, urea, urea-formaldehydes, urea ammonium nitrate,sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, isobutylidene diurea,K₂SO₄-2MgSO₄, kainite, sylvinite, kieserite, Epsom salts, elementalsulfur, marl, ground oyster shells, fish meal, oil cakes, fish manure,blood meal, rock phosphate, super phosphates, slag, bone meal, wood ash,manure, bat guano, peat moss, compost, green sand, cottonseed meal,feather meal, crab meal, fish emulsion, humic acid, or a combination ofany thereof.

The agrochemical can comprise a plant hormone, the plant hormonecomprising a gibberellin, an auxin, a kinetin, or a combination of anythereof.

Enzymes can be formulated in many ways. Common goals for formulationenzyme products include enhancing shelf life, preserving the productfrom microorganisms, and enhancing enzyme activity. Enzyme products canbe lyophilized to extend the shelf life of most enzymes by freezedrying, spray drying, or otherwise removing the liquid aspect of theenzyme product. Liquid and lyophilized products are often bulked outwith additives, such as buffers, stabilizers, antimicrobial agents, andvolume additives. Enzymes can often be encapsulated or granulated tomake the final product safer and easier to use. Granulated products canhave enhanced shelf life and have little enzyme activity exposed to theoutside surface of the granules. Enzymes may also be attached to organicor inorganic platforms, such as plastic beads, dolomite, clays,charcoals, biochar, nanoparticles, alginates, silica beads help bindthem and keep them in an easy to use form. Often, enzymes areimmobilized on matrices to allow for longer activity and shelf life ofthe enzyme products. Common matrices include carbon, nanocarbons,agarose, alginates, cellulose and cellulosic material, silica, plastic,stainless steel, glass, polystyrene, and ceramics.

Many formulations of the enzymes can be used to prolong enzymaticactivity or shelf life of the products. These include but are notlimited to preservatives, biocides, stabilizers, color enhancers, odorreduction, surfactants, detergents, buffers, cofactors, ions, and othermodification to the formulation to enhance the performance of theenzymes.

XVII. Plant Growth Media

In any of the methods described herein involving the use of a plantgrowth medium, the plant growth medium can comprise soil, water, anaqueous solution, sand, gravel, a polysaccharide, mulch, compost, peatmoss, straw, logs, clay, soybean meal, yeast extract, or a combinationthereof.

The plant growth medium can comprise or consist essentially of afertilizer.

Furthermore, the plant growth medium can be supplemented with asubstrate for an enzyme.

The substrate can comprise tryptophan, an adenosine monophosphate, anadenosine diphosphate, an adenosine triphosphate (e.g.,adenosine-3-triphosphate), a polyphosphate, a protein meal, atrimetaphosphate, a cellulose, a methylcellulose, a chitin, a chitosan,a cellulose derivative, a phosphate, a fat, a wax, a phospholipid, aphytic acid, or a combination of any thereof.

XVIII. Plants

In any of the above methods relating to plants, the plant can be adicotyledon, a monocotyledon, or a gymnosperm.

Likewise, for any of the seeds described herein the seed can be a seedof a dicotyledon, a monocotyledon, or a gymnosperm.

For example, where the plant is a dicotyledon or the seed is a seed of adicotyledon, the dicotyledon can be selected from the group consistingof bean, pea, tomato, pepper, squash, alfalfa, almond, aniseseed, apple,apricot, arracha, artichoke, avocado, bambara groundnut, beet, bergamot,black pepper, black wattle, blackberry, blueberry, bitter orange,bok-choi, Brazil nut, breadfruit, broccoli, broad bean, Brusselssprouts, buckwheat, cabbage, camelina, Chinese cabbage, cacao,cantaloupe, caraway seeds, cardoon, carob, carrot, cashew nuts, cassava,castor bean, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cherry, chestnut, chickpea,chicory, chili pepper, chrysanthemum, cinnamon, citron, clementine,clove, clover, coffee, cola nut, colza, corn, cotton, cottonseed,cowpea, crambe, cranberry, cress, cucumber, currant, custard apple,drumstick tree, earth pea, eggplant, endive, fennel, fenugreek, fig,filbert, flax, geranium, gooseberry, gourd, grape, grapefruit, guava,hemp, hempseed, henna, hop, horse bean, horseradish, indigo, jasmine,Jerusalem artichoke, jute, kale, kapok, kenaf, kohlrabi, kumquat,lavender, lemon, lentil, lespedeza, lettuce, lime, liquorice, litchi,loquat, lupine, macadamia nut, mace, mandarin, mangel, mango, medlar,melon, mint, mulberry, mustard, nectarine, niger seed, nutmeg, okra,olive, opium, orange, papaya, parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, pecannut, persimmon, pigeon pea, pistachio nut, plantain, plum, pomegranate,pomelo, poppy seed, potato, sweet potato, prune, pumpkin, quebracho,quince, trees of the genus Cinchona, quinoa, radish, ramie, rapeseed,raspberry, rhea, rhubarb, rose, rubber, rutabaga, safflower, sainfoin,salsify, sapodilla, Satsuma, scorzonera, sesame, shea tree, soybean,spinach, squash, strawberry, sugar beet, sugarcane, sunflower, swede,sweet pepper, tangerine, tea, teff, tobacco, tomato, trefoil, tung tree,turnip, urena, vetch, walnut, watermelon, yerba mate, wintercress,shepherd's purse, garden cress, peppercress, watercress, pennycress,star anise, laurel, bay laurel, cassia, jamun, dill, tamarind,peppermint, oregano, rosemary, sage, soursop, pennywort, calophyllum,balsam pear, kukui nut, Tahitian chestnut, basil, huckleberry, hibiscus,passionfruit, star apple, sassafras, cactus, St. John's wort,loosestrife, hawthorn, cilantro, curry plant, kiwi, thyme, zucchini,ulluco, jicama, waterleaf, spiny monkey orange, yellow mombin,starfruit, amaranth, wasabi, Japanese pepper, yellow plum, mashua,Chinese toon, New Zealand spinach, bower spinach, ugu, tansy, chickweed,jocote, Malay apple, paracress, sowthistle, Chinese potato, horseparsley, hedge mustard, campion, agate, cassod tree, thistle, burnet,star gooseberry, saltwort, glasswort, sorrel, silver lace fern, collardgreens, primrose, cowslip, purslane, knotgrass, terebinth, tree lettuce,wild betel, West African pepper, yerba santa, tarragon, parsley,chervil, land cress, burnet saxifrage, honeyherb, butterbur, shiso,water pepper, perilla, bitter bean, oca, kampong, Chinese celery, lemonbasil, Thai basil, water mimosa, cicely, cabbage-tree, moringa, mauka,ostrich fern, rice paddy herb, yellow sawah lettuce, lovage, peppergrass, maca, bottle gourd, hyacinth bean, water spinach, catsear,fishwort, Okinawan spinach, lotus sweetjuice, gallant soldier, culantro,arugula, cardoon, caigua, mitsuba, chipilin, samphire, mampat, ebolo,ivy gourd, cabbage thistle, sea kale, chaya, huauzontle, Ethiopianmustard, magenta spreen, good king henry, epazole, lamb's quarters,centella plumed cockscomb, caper, rapini, napa cabbage, mizuna, Chinesesavoy, kai-lan, mustard greens, Malabar spinach, chard, marshmallow,climbing wattle, China jute, paprika, annatto seed, spearmint, savory,marjoram, cumin, chamomile, lemon balm, allspice, bilberry, cherimoya,cloudberry, damson, pitaya, durian, elderberry, feijoa, jackfruit,jambul, jujube, physalis, purple mangosteen, rambutan, redcurrant,blackcurrant, salal berry, satsuma, ugli fruit, azuki bean, black bean,black-eyed pea, borlotti bean, common bean, green bean, kidney bean,lima bean, mung bean, navy bean, pinto bean, runner bean, mangetout,snap pea, broccoflower, calabrese, nettle, bell pepper, raddichio,daikon, white radish, skirret, t at soi, broccolini, black radish,burdock root, fava bean, broccoli raab, lablab, lupin, sterculia, velvetbeans, winged beans, yam beans, mulga, ironweed, umbrella bush,tjuntjula, wakalpulka, witchetty bush, wiry wattle, chia, beech nut,candlenut, colocynth, mamoncillo, Maya nut, mongongo, ogbono nut,paradise nut, and cempedak.

Where the plant is a monocotyledon or the seed is a seed of amonocotyledon, the monocotyledon can be selected from the groupconsisting of corn, wheat, oat, rice, barley, millet, banana, onion,garlic, asparagus, ryegrass, millet, fonio, raishan, nipa grass,turmeric, saffron, galangal, chive, cardamom, date palm, pineapple,shallot, leek, scallion, water chestnut, ramp, Job's tears, bamboo,ragi, spotless watermeal, arrowleaf elephant ear, Tahitian spinach,abaca, areca, bajra, betel nut, broom millet, broom sorghum, citronella,coconut, cocoyam, maize, dasheen, durra, durum wheat, edo, Pique,formio, ginger, orchard grass, esparto grass, Sudan grass, guinea corn,Manila hemp, henequen, hybrid maize, jowar, lemon grass, maguey, bulrushmillet, finger millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, proso millet,New Zealand flax, oats, oil palm, palm palmyra, sago palm, redtop,sisal, sorghum, spelt wheat, sweet corn, sweet sorghum, taro, teff,timothy grass, triticale, vanilla, wheat, and yam.

Where the plant is a gymnosperm or the seed is a seed of a gymnosperm,the gymnosperm can be from a family selected from the group consistingof Araucariaceae, Boweniaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae,Cycadaceae, Ephedraceae, Ginkgoaceae, Gnetaceae, Pinaceae,Podocarpaceae, Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae, Welwitschiaceae, and Zamiaceae.

The plants and plant seeds described herein may include transgenicplants or plant seeds, such as transgenic cereals (wheat, rice), maize,soybean, potato, cotton, tobacco, oilseed rape and fruit plants (fruitof apples, pears, citrus fruits and grapes. Preferred transgenic plantsinclude corn, soybeans, potatoes, cotton, tobacco and oilseed rape.

Suitable transgenic plants and seeds can be characterized by the plant'sformation of toxins, especially from the Bacillus thuringiensis geneticmaterial (e.g., by gene CryIA (a), CryIA (b), CryIA (c), CryIIA,CryIIIA, CryIIIB2 Cry9c, Cry2Ab, Cry3Bb, CryIF or a combinationthereof). The formation of toxins in plants increases the plant'sresistance to insects, arachnids, nematodes and slugs and snails(hereinafter referred to as “Bt plants”). Bt plants, for example, arecommercially available under the tradename YIELD GARB (for examplemaize, cotton, soybeans), KnockOut® (for example maize), StarLink® (forexample maize), Bollgard® (cotton), Nucotn® (cotton) and NewLeaf®(potato) maize varieties, cotton varieties, soybean varieties and potatovarieties. Herbicide tolerance plants include plants under the tradenames Roundup Ready® (a glyphosate tolerance, such as corn, cotton,soybeans), Clearfield® (for example maize), Liberty Link® (tolerancewith glufosinate, for example oilseed rape), IMI (with imidazolinonetolerance) and STS (tolerance to a sulfonylurea, such as maize).

Plant seeds as described herein can be genetically modified (e.g., anyseed that results in a genetically modified plant or plant part thatexpresses herbicide tolerance, tolerance to environmental factors suchas water stress, drought, viruses, and nitrogen production, orresistance to bacterial, fungi or insect toxins). Suitable geneticallymodified seeds include those of cole crops, vegetables, fruits, trees,fiber crops, oil crops, tuber crops, coffee, flowers, legume, cereals,as well as other plants of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonousspecies. Preferably, the genetically modified seeds include peanut,tobacco, grasses, wheat, barley, rye, sorghum, rice, rapeseed,sugarbeet, sunflower, tomato, pepper, bean, lettuce, potato, and carrot.Most preferably, the genetically modified seeds include cotton, soybean,and corn (sweet, field, seed, or popcorn).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, or acombination of transformation events, that are listed for example in thedatabases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see forexample http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx andhttp://www.agbios.com/dbase.php). Having described the invention indetail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention defined inthe appended claims.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustratethe present invention.

Example 1: Free Endoglucanase on Corn, Greenhouse

Acidothermus cellulolyticus β-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis Mo., as productE2164) was diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer to concentrationsof 12.5 through 1600 mU/mL. The U (units or international units) ofendoglucanase activity was determined by the amount of enzyme that isrequired to breakdown 1 μMol/min/mL of substrate at ideal temperatureand conditions. For each treatment group, 18 seeds of commercial hybridBECK'S 6626RR corn, which contains a glyphosate tolerance trait, withoutseed treatment, were placed in 50 mL conical tubes. Each conical tubewas vortexed, and 18 μL of enzyme solution was added to each tube for afinal enzyme concentration of 0, 12.5 μU, 25 μU, 50 μU, 100 μU, 200 μU,400 μU, 800 μU, or 1600 μU per seed of endoglucanase. The conical tubeswere vortexed again for 20 seconds to gain an even coating on each seed.Seeds were allowed to dry for 5 minutes and then planted into 39.7 cm³pots containing commercial top soil at a depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seedsper pot. After planting, 50 mL of room temperature water was added toeach pot to allow for germination. The pots were kept in an artificiallight plant growth room with a 13/11 hour light/day cycle, and at 21° C.day/15° C. night temperature range. Plants were watered as needed, andrandomized on a 3 day cycle to avoid any cool spots within the room. Atthe end of 14 days, the height of the corn plants for each treatment wasmeasured, and normalized to the height of the control plants that wereseed coated with only water.

This experiment was repeated three times, and the values averaged acrossthe experiments. As can be seen in Table 18, the major effect ofendoglucanase as a seed treatment on BECK'S 6626RR (a corn hybrid withglyphosate resistance) is in the range of 100-1600 μU/seed of enzymeactivity. At these values, there is a noticeable and reproducible effecton corn growth. Values below 50 μU per seed had a much lower effect onthe corn growth rate for this hybrid. These enzyme treatments work wellas a standalone treatment on crops.

TABLE 18 Height effects of β-1,4 endoglucanase treatment as a seedtreatment Height Enzyme (Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed toControl) Water (Control) 0   100% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  12.5μU 102.8% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase   25 μU 101.6% Acidothermusβ-1,4 Endoglucanase   50 μU  98.6% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  100 μU 101.8% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase   200 μU   105%Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase   400 μU 107.8% Acidothermus β-1,4Endoglucanase   800 μU 108.1% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  1600 μU101.2%

Example 2: Free Endoglucanase on Corn, Greenhouse

Acidothermus cellulolyticus β-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productE2164) was diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer to concentrationsof 50 through 1200 mU/mL. The U of endoglucanase activity was determinedby as the amount of enzyme that is required to breakdown 1 μMol/min/mLof substrate at ideal temperature and conditions. Eighteen seeds of acommercial hybrid BECK'S 5140HR corn, which contains HERCULEX corn borer(an insect protection trait) and a glyphosate tolerance trait, withoutseed treatment were placed in 50 mL conical tubes. Each conical tube wasvortexed and 18 μL of enzyme solution was added to each tube for a finalenzyme concentration of 0, 50 μU, 100 μU, 200 μU, 400 μU, 600 μU, 800μU, or 1200 μU per seed of endoglucanase. The conical tubes werevortexed again for 20 seconds to gain an even coating on each seed.Seeds were allowed to dry for 5 minutes and then planted into 39.7 cm³pots containing commercial top soil at a depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seedsper pot. After planting, 50 mL of room temperature water was added toeach pot to allow for germination. The pots were kept in an artificiallight plant growth room with a 13/11 hour light/day cycle, and at 21° C.day/15° C. night temperature range. Plants were watered as needed, andrandomized on a 3 day cycle to avoid any cool spots within the room. Atthe end of 14 days, the height of the corn plants for each treatment wasmeasured, and normalized to the height of the control plants that wereseed coated with only water. Each trial was replicated 3 times.

As can be seen in Table 19, the major effect of endoglucanase as a seedtreatment on BECK'S 5140HR is in the range of 600-1200 μU/seed of enzymeactivity. At these values, there is a noticeable and reproducible effecton corn growth. Values below 400 μU per seed had a lower effect on thecorn growth rate on this hybrid. These enzyme treatments work well as astandalone treatment on crops.

TABLE 19 Height effects of β-1,4 endoglucanase treatment as a seedtreatment Height Enzyme (Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed toControl) Water (Control) 0   100% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase 50μ100.5% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  100 μU 97.34% Acidothermusβ-1,4 Endoglucanase  200 μU 94.69% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  400μU  98.5% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase  600 μU 102.3% Acidothermusβ-1,4 Endoglucanase  800 μU 103.8% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase 1200μU 103.2%

Example 3: Glucanases and Phospholipases on Corn, Field

Acidothermus cellulolyticus β-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productE2164), Helix pomatia β-1,3-D-glucanase (SEQ ID NO: 126; commerciallyavailable from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as product 67138),Trichoderma reesi β-1,4 endoglucanase “cellulase” (SEQ ID NO: 36;commercially available from Worthington Biochemical Corp., Lakewood,N.J., as product ATCC26921), and Aspergillus oryzae exo-β-1,3-glucanase(SEQ ID NO 41; commercially available from Megazyme, Chicago, Ill., asproduct E-EXG5AO) were diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer toconcentrations of 600 mU/mL (for the Acidothermus β-1,4-endoglucanaseand the Trichoderma β-1,4-endoglucanase) or 252 mU/mL (for the Helixβ-1,3-D-glucanase) of activity. This grouping contained severalcellulase (cellulolytic glucanase) and non-cellulolytic glucanaseactivities, including β-1,4-endoglucanase and β-1,3-D-glucanaseactivities, respectively. The U of enzyme activity was determined by asthe amount of enzymes that is required to breakdown 1 μMol/min/mL ofsubstrate at ideal temperature and conditions. Bacillus cereusphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (SEQ ID NO: 116;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productP5524), Bacillus cereus phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C(SEQ ID NO: 115; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,Mo. as product P6621), Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C (SEQ IDNO: 18; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., asproduct P7633), and Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D (SEQ IDNO: 19; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., asproduct P0065) were diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer to a finalconcentration of 2.5 U/mL (for the Bacillus phosphatidylcholinePhospholipase C, the Clostridium Phospholipase C, and the StreptomycesPhospholipase D) or 100 U/mL (for the Bacillus phosphatidylinositolPhospholipase C). Each of these phospholipases have different specificactivities to phospholipids and to different cleavage sites forphospholipids. Seeds of commercial hybrid BECK'S 6175YE corn, whichcontains HERCULEX (rootworm and corn borer protection traits), MON810(comprising a corn borer resistance trait), a glufosinate resistancetrait, and a glyphosate tolerance trait were used, without seedtreatment. Seeds were placed into a batch treater at 400 seeds for eachtreatment. 400 μL of solution was added to each batch for a final enzymeconcentration of 600 μU/seed for the Acidothermus endoglucanase and theTrichoderma β-1,4-endoglucanase, 252 μU/seed for the Helixβ-1,3-D-glucanase, 100 mU/seed for the phosphatidylinositol-specificphospholipase C, or 2.5 mU/seed for the Bacillusphosphatidylcholine-specific Phospholipase C and the phospholipase C andD coated seeds. Each batch was allowed to mix for 20 seconds to gain aneven coating on each seed. Additionally, these seeds were coated withcommercial packages of prothioconazole, penflufen, metalaxyl, andclothianidin (EVERGOL Energy/PONCHO Seed Treatment, commerciallyavailable from Bayer CropScience) (“Base”). Each trial was replicated 3times. Seeds were allowed to dry for 3 weeks, and then planted intonative soil in 9.14 m rows at 10.16 cm apart, at a depth of 3.81 cm. Theplants were measured for height at 2 weeks post-planting, and normalizedto the height of the control plants that were seed coated with onlywater with Base. Results are shown in Table 16 below.

TABLE 20 Height effects of glucanases and phospholipase treatments as aseed treatment Height Enzyme (Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed toControl) Water + Base 0   100% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base 600 μU 117.6% Helix β-1,3-D-glucanase + Base  252 μU 101.5% Trichodermaβ-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base  600 μU 114.0% Bacillus phosphatidylinositolPhospholipase C + Base  100 mU  95.9% Bacillus phosphatidylcholinePhospholipase C + Base  2.5 mU 100.7% Clostridium Phospholipase C + Base 2.5 mU 109.2% Streptomyces Phospholipase D + Base  2.5 mU 121.3%

β-1,3-exoglucanase (Aspergillus oryzae; SEQ ID NO 41; commerciallyavailable from Megazyme, Chicago, Ill., as product E-EXG5AO),phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus; SEQ IDNO: 116; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo. asproduct P6621), phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (Bacilluscereus; SED ID NO: 115; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St.Louis, Mo., as product P5542), and phospholipase D (Streptomyceschromofuscus; SEQ ID NO: 19; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrichas product P8023) were diluted in water to 182 mU/mL (forβ-1,3-exoglucanase), 100 U/mL (for the phosphatidylinositol-specificphospholipase C) or 2.5 U/mL (for the phosphatidylcholine-specificphospholipase C and the phospholipase D). The enzymes were applied asseed treatments to corn (BECK'S 5828 YH) which contains HERCULEX traits(a rootworm protection trait and corn borer resistance trait), aglufosinate resistance trait, and a glyphosate resistance trait), usingthe same methods described above, planted, and allowed to grow toharvest. The seed treatments were made on top of a base seed treatmentcontaining prothioconazole, penflufen, metalaxyl, and clothianidin(“Base”) and treated as described in the above section of this Example.The yield of treated crops (quantified as bushels/acre (Bu/Ac) or metrictonnes per hectare (MT/ha)) was compared to and normalized to cropsgrown from water treated seeds. Each treatment was independentlyperformed at least 4 times. Corn seed treatments using these freeenzymes resulted in increased corn yield compared to control corn plantsthat received no seed treatment. β-1,3-exoglucanase increased crop yieldby approximately 4%, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase Cincreased crop yield by approximately 3% and phospholipase D increasedcrop yield by approximately 2%. Average weight per ear also increasedfor corn plants grown from seeds treated with these three free enzymes.Results are shown in Table 21 below.

TABLE 21 Glucanases and phospholipases applied as a seed treatment toincrease yield in corn Average Absolute Change Average Weight inbushels/acre Ear per ear (Bu/Ac) over Yield Seed Treatment Enzyme countper (lbs) control (+/−) (Normalized (5828 AM) Activity/Seed ear row [kg][MT/ha] to Control) Water + Base   0 μU/seed 93 0.2694 0.00 100% [0.1222kg] β-1,3-Exoglucanase  182 μU/seed 94 0.2769 +5.49 104% (Aspergillusoryzae) + [0.1256 kg] [0.34 MT/ha] Base Phosphatidylinositol  100mU/seed 94 0.2764 +4.02 103% Phospholipase C [0.1254 kg] [0.25 MT/ha](Bacillus cereus) + Base Phosphatidylcholine  2.5 mU/seed 98 0.2477−4.71  97% Phospholipase C [0.1124 kg] [−0.30 MT/ha] (Bacillus cereus) +Base Phospholipase D  2.5 mU/seed 92 0.2943 +3.3 102% (Streptomyces[0.1335 kg] [0.21 MT/ha] chromofuscus) + Base

Out of the phospholipases and glucanases that were tested in this trial,the β-1,3-exoglucanase, and the Bacillus cereusphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and Streptomycesphospholipase D had the best plant responses. These enzyme treatmentsworked on multiple hybrids and trait packages.

Example 4: Glucanases on Corn, Field

Acidothermus cellulolyticus β-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productE2164) was diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer to concentrationsof 200 mU/ml and 450 mU/mL of activity. The U of endoglucanase activitywas determined by as the amount of enzymes that is required to breakdown1 μMol/min/mL of substrate at ideal temperature and conditions. 150seeds of commercial hybrid BECK'S 6175YE, which contains, HERCULEX(rootworm and corn borer protection traits), MON810 (a corn borerresistance trait), a glufosinate resistance trait, and a glyphosatetolerance trait, without seed treatment was placed into 50 mL conicaltubes at 50 seeds each. 50 μL of enzyme was added to each of the tubeswith 250 μL of slurry containing prothioconazole, penflufen, metalaxyl,and clothianidin (EVERGOL Energy/PONCHO Seed Treatment) (“Base”). Thisled to a final enzyme concentration of 200 μU/seed and 450 μU/seed. Thetubes were vortexed for 20 seconds to gain an even coating on each seed.Seeds were allowed to dry for 3 weeks, and then planted into native soilin 9.14 m rows at 10.16 cm apart, at a depth of 3.81 cm. The plants weremeasured for height at 2 weeks post-planting, and results werenormalized to the height of the control plants that were seed coatedwith only water with Base (prothioconazole, penflufen, metalaxyl, andclothianidin) treatment.

The trials were repeated three times, and the values averaged across theexperiments. The data in Table 22 below show that the growth rate of thecorn for both concentrations of β-1,4-endoglucanase was increased at 2weeks post-planting. At these concentrations, there is a noticeable andreproducible effect on corn growth. These enzyme treatments work well asa package on top of Base treatment on crops and on multiple hybrids andtrait packages.

TABLE 22 Height effects of endoglucanase treatment as a seed treatmentHeight Enzyme (Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed to Control) Water(Control) + Base 0   100% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base 200 μU115.5% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base 450 μU 114.3%

Example 5: Phospholipases on Corn, Greenhouse, High Range

Bacillus cereus phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (SEQ ID NO:115; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., asproduct P6621), Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C (SEQ ID NO: 18;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productP7633), and Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D (SEQ ID NO: 19;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productP0065) were diluted in 100 mM tris buffer, pH 7.0 to concentrationsbetween of 100 U/ml to 450 U/mL. For each treatment group, 18 seeds ofcommercial hybrid BECK'S 6626RR corn, which contains a glyphosatetolerance trait, without seed treatment were placed in 50 mL conicaltubes. Each conical tube was vortexed, and 18 μL of enzyme solution wasadded to each tube for a final enzyme concentration of 100 mU/mL, 200mU/mL, or 450 mU/mL per seed of phospholipase, and vortexed again for 20seconds to gain an even coating on each seed. Seeds were allowed to dryfor 5 minutes, and the seeds were then planted into 42.24 in³ (692.19cm³) pots of commercial top soil at a depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seeds perpot. After planting, 50 mL of room temperature water was added to eachpot to allow for germination. The pots were kept in an artificial lightplant growth room with a 13/11 hour light/day cycle, and at 21° C.day/15° C. night temperature range. Plants were watered as needed, androtated on a 3 day cycle to avoid any cool spots within the room. At theend of 14 days, the height of the corn plants for each treatment wasmeasured, and normalized to the height of the control plants that wereseed coated with only water. Experiments were done in triplicate.

Predominantly, it can be seen, in Table 23, that the effect ofphospholipases C and D enzymes is best at values at or below 100mU/seed. At these values, there is a noticeable and reproducible effecton corn growth. Values at or above 200 mU/seed are detrimental to corngrowth. This held true for both phospholipase C and D enzymes.

TABLE 23 Height effects of phospholipases treatment as a seed treatmentHeight Enzyme (Normalized Seed Treatment activity/Seed to Control) Water(Control) 0   100% Phospholipase C, B. cereus 100 mU 102.4%Phospholipase C, B. cereus 200 mU  94.5% Phospholipase C, B. cereus 450mU  99.7% Phospholipase C, C. perfringens 200 mU  97.4% Phospholipase D,Streptomyces 100 mU 108.1% Phospholipase D, Streptomyces 250 mU  98.4%

Example 6: 2015 Soy Yield, Endoglucanases and Phospholipases

Acidothermus cellulolyticus β-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productE2164), Helix pomatia β-1,3-D-glucanase (SEQ ID NO: 126; commerciallyavailable from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as product 67138), andTrichoderma reesi β-1,4 endoglucanase “cellulase” (SEQ ID NO: 36;commercially available from, Worthington Biochemical Corp., Lakewood,N.J.) were diluted in water to concentrations of 600 mU/ml activity forthe two β-1,4 endoglucanases and 252 mU/ml for the β-1,3-D-glucanase.This grouping contained several cellulolytic and non-cellulolyticglucanase activities, including both β-1,4-endoglucanase andβ-1,3-D-glucanase activities. Bacillus cereusphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (SEQ ID NO: 115;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productP6621), Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C (SEQ ID NO: 18;commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productP7633), and Bacillus cereus phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipaseC (SEQ ID NO: 116; commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,Mo., as product P5524) were diluted in water to a final concentration of2.5 U/ml (for the Bacillus phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase Cand the Clostridium Phospholipase C) or 100 U/ml (for the Bacillusphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C). Each of thesephospholipases has different specific activities to phospholipids and todifferent cleavage sites for phospholipids. 720 seeds of commercialhybrid BECK'S 294NR soybeans, which contain a nematode resistance trait(SCN-SB) and a glyphosate resistance trait (ROUNDUP READY 1), with themetalaxyl and clothianidin Base seed treatment package (“Base”) wereplaced into paint cans and coated with commercial seed treatment (Base).Each batch was mixed, and 720 μL of solution was added to each batch toobtain the final enzyme concentrations listed in Table 24 below. Seedswere allowed to dry for 3 weeks, and then planted into native soil in9.14 m rows at 6.35 cm apart, at a depth of 3.81 cm. The plants wereharvested and yield measured at harvest. Each treatment was replicated 4times and planted 4 times in the field. Results are shown below in Table24 as a percentage of weight over the control (Base) treatment.

TABLE 24 Yield Increases as a Percentage of Control Yield Enzyme(Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed to Control) Water + Base 0 100%Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base  600 μU 123% Helixβ-1,3-D-glucanase + Base  252 μU 123% Trichoderma β-1,4 Endoglucanase +Base  600 μU 123% Bacillus phosphatidylinositol Phospholipase C + Base 100 mU 115% Bacillus phosphatidylcholine Phospholipase C + Base  2.5 mU145% Clostridium Phospholipase C + Base  2.5 mU  92%

As can be seen in Table 24, all three glucanases lead to a noticeableincrease in yield in the soybean plants, as well as the PC-PLC andPI-PLC from Bacillus cereus.

Example 7: 2015 Corn Yield, Endoglucanase

Acidothermus cellulolyticus 0-1,4 endoglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 30commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., as productE2164) was diluted in citrate enzyme dilution buffer to concentrationsof 250 and 600 mU/ml of activity. Seeds of commercial hybrid BECK'S5828YH corn with a prothioconazole, penflufen, metalaxyl, andclothianidin (EVERGOL Energy/PONCHO) Base seed treatment package(“Base”) were placed into seed treater at 250 seeds each. Each batch wasmixed, and 250 μL of solution was added to each tube for a final enzymeconcentration of 200 or 600 μU/seed for the endoglucanases coated seeds.Each batch was mixed again for 20 seconds to gain an even coating oneach seed. Seeds were allowed to dry for 3 weeks, and then planted intonative soil in 9.14 m rows at 6.35 cm apart, at a depth of 3.81 cm. Theplants were harvested and yield measured at harvest. Each treatment wasreplicate 4 times. Results are shown below in Table 25 as a harvestweight as a percentage over control treatment harvest weigh(normalized).

TABLE 25 Yield Increases as a Percentage of Control Yield Enzyme(Normalized Seed Treatment Activity/Seed to Control) Water + Base 0  100% Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base 200 μU 104.8%Acidothermus β-1,4 Endoglucanase + Base 600 μU 102.4%As can be seen in Table 25, both rates of Acidothermus 13-1,4endoglucanase lead to an increase in the yield of the corn.

Example 8: Isolation and Identification of Plant-Growth PromotingBacterial Strains

Soil samples from rhizospheres of the healthiest and most resistantpotato (Solanum tuberosum), yellow summer squash (Cucurbita pepo),tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and pole bean (Phaseolus coccineus)plants were collected, diluted in sterile water, and spread ontonutrient agar plates. Bacterial isolates that demonstrated high growthrates and were able to be passaged and propagated were selected forfurther study. The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6 g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O0.013 g, and glucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.)of selected strains were spun down, media decanted off, and resuspendedin an equal amount of distilled water. Ten butterhead lettuce seeds pertreatment were planted at a depth of 1 cm in loam top soil (Columbia,Mo.) that was sieved to remove large debris. Seeds were inoculated atplanting in 4 cm pots with 0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in water mixedinto 10 ml of H₂O. Ten ml of H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteriainto the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³) of soil as well as saturate the soil forproper germination of seeds. Plants were grown at temperatures between65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11 hours of light/day, and 5 ml of wateringevery 3 days. After one week, plant heights and leaf diameters, as wellas overall health of the plants were collected. Initial screening ofrhizosphere isolates resulted in obtaining greater than 200 distinctspecies of bacteria and fungi from the rhizosphere of the four plants.Some of the bacterial species are described in Table 26. Identifiedstrains are indicated by their proper bacterial identifications. Otherstrains are indicated by their unknown identification number. Inoculantsgiving results near control (+/−2%) were not included in the table.

TABLE 26 Avg. Height Bacterial Inoculant (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 1.8 Control .07 Paracoccus kondratiavae 2 111.1% .05 NC35B. aryabhattai CAP53 3.65 202.8% .45 B. flexus BT054 2.45 136.1% .11Bacillus mycoides strain 2.17 120.4% .21 BT155 B. aryabhattai CAP56 2.1116.7% .20 B. nealsonii BOBA57 2.8 155.6% .03 E. cloacae CAP12 2.4133.3% .41 Unknown 8 1.77  77.8% .65 Unknown 122 1.9 105.6% .11 Unknown15 1.4  77.8% .41 Unknown 39 1.8 100.0% .20 Unknown 401 2 111.1% .21Unknown 402 1.53  85.2% .27 Unknown 41 1.45  80.6% .31 Unknown 42 1.4 77.8% .15 Unknown 44 2.2 133.3% .08 Unknown 51 1.83 102.9% .21

Bacterial strains that produced the greatest effect on the overall planthealth and plant height in the initial lettuce trial were subjected tofurther identification. Bacterial strains were grown overnight in LuriaBertani broth at 37° C., and overnight cultures were spun down in acentrifuge. Media was decanted and the remaining bacterial pellet wassubjected to chromosomal DNA isolation using the Qiagen BacterialChromosomal DNA Isolation kit. Chromosomal DNA was subjected to PCRamplification of the 16S rRNA coding regions using the primers E338F5′-ACT CCT ACG GGA GGC AGC AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 108), E1099R A 5′-GGG TTGCGC TCG TTG C-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 109), and E1099R B 5′-GGG TTG CGC TCG TTAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 110). PCR amplicons were purified using a Promega PCRpurification kit, and the resultant amplicons were diluted and sent tothe University of Missouri DNA Core for DNA sequencing. DNA sequenceswere compared to the NCBI BLAST database of bacterial isolates, andgenus and species were identified by direct comparison to known strains.Top identified species are indicated in Table 26. In many cases, 16SrRNA DNA sequences were only able to delineate the genus of the selectedbacterial strain. In cases where a direct identification was notforthcoming, additional biochemistry analyses, using methods standard inthe field, were performed to differentiate strains at the species andstrain levels, and are listed in Table 27.

TABLE 27 E. cloacae P. kondratiavae B. aryabhattai B. flexus B. mycoidesB. aryabhattai B. nealsonii Test CAP12 NC35 CAP53 BT054 BT155 CAP56BOBA57 Urease − − − − − − + Catalase + + + + + + + Oxidase − + + + − − −Nitrate + + − + + − + Growth, 5% NaCl + − + + − + + Growth, 7.5% NaCl −− + + − + − Growth, 42° C. + + + + + + + Growth, 50° C. − − + + − + −Growth, pH 5 + − + + − + − Growth, pH 9 + + + + + + + Acid, Cellobiose +− + + + + − Acid, Lactose + − + + + − + Acid, Starch − − − + − + −

Example 9: Isolation and Identification of Additional Plant-GrowthPromoting Bacterial Strains

Soil samples from agricultural fields near Gas, Kans. were collected,diluted in sterile water, and spread onto nutrient agar plates.Bacterial isolates that demonstrated high growth rates and were able tobe passaged and propagated were selected for further study. The selectedstrains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6 g, NH₄Cl 1 g,NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, and glucose 1 g, perL dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selected strains were spundown, media decanted off, and resuspended in an equal amount ofdistilled water. Corn seeds were coated with commercial seed polymermixed with water alone (1.6 μl per seed total) or commercial seedpolymer containing selected bacterial strains (1.6 μl per seed total).Coated seeds were planted in 3 inch (7.62 cm) diameter pots at a depthof 1 inch (2.54 cm) in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that was sieved toremove large debris. Plants were grown at temperatures between 18-24° C.(65-75° F.) with 11 hours of light/day, and 50 ml of watering atplanting and every 3 days. After two weeks, plant heights and leafdiameters, as well as overall health of the plants were collected. Forgermination assays and determining 3 day root length, seeds were coatedas indicated above and evenly dispersed at 10 seeds per paper towel. Thepaper towels were wetted with 10 ml of water, rolled up, placed in asmall plastic bag and incubated at 30° C. or placed on a germinationheat mat at 27-30° C. (80-85° F.). Root measurements were recorded after3 days. Initial screening of rhizosphere isolates resulted in obtaininggreater than 100 distinct species of bacteria and fungi from therhizosphere. Some of the bacterial species are described in Table 28.Identified strains are indicated by their proper bacterialidentifications.

TABLE 28 Avg. Root Avg. Height Length (2 weeks), (3 days), normalizednormalized to polymer to polymer control control Bacterial Inoculant (%)(%) Polymer control 100 100 B. mycoides EE118 111.1 189.1 B. subtilisEE148 99.4 172.8 Alcaligenes faecalis EE107 111.5 129.2 B. mycoidesEE141 109.2 143.5 B. mycoides BT46-3 105.6 141.3 B. cereus family memberEE128 105.6 — B. thuringiensis BT013A 101.8 103.8 Paenibacillusmassiliensis BT23 104.2 139.4 B. cereus family member EE349 105.2 — B.subtilis EE218 106.6 — B. megaterium EE281 107.8 —

Bacterial strains that produced the greatest effect on plant health aredescribed in Table 28. Bacterial strains were grown overnight in LuriaBertani broth at 37° C., and overnight cultures were spun down in acentrifuge. Media was decanted and the remaining bacterial pellet wassubjected to chromosomal DNA isolation using the Qiagen BacterialChromosomal DNA Isolation kit. Chromosomal DNA was subjected to PCRamplification of the 16S rRNA coding regions using the primers E338F5′-ACT CCT ACG GGA GGC AGC AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 108), E1099R A 5′-GGG TTGCGC TCG TTG C-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 109), and E1099R B 5′-GGG TTG CGC TCG TTAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 110). PCR amplicons were purified using a Promega PCRpurification kit, and the resultant amplicons were diluted and sent tothe University of Missouri DNA Core for DNA sequencing. DNA sequenceswere compared to the NCBI BLAST database of bacterial isolates, andgenus and species were identified by direct comparison to known strains.Top identified species are indicated in Table 28. In many cases, 16SrRNA DNA sequences were only able to delineate the genus of the selectedbacterial strain. In cases where a direct identification was notforthcoming, additional biochemistry analyses, using methods standard inthe field, were performed to differentiate strains at the species andstrain levels, and the differentiated strains are listed in Table 29.

TABLE 29 B. thuringiensis B. cereus B. subtilis B. subtilis B.megaterium Paenibacillus Test BT013A family member EE349 EE148 EE218EE281 massiliensis BT23 Motility + + + + + + Rhizoid Colony − − − − − +Catalase + + + + + + Oxidase + − − − − − Nitrate + + wk − − − Growth, 5%NaCl + wk − + + − Growth, 7.5% NaCl wk − − + + − Growth, 42° C.− + + + + + Growth, 50° C. − − − − − − Growth, pH 5 wk − + + + − Growth,pH 9 + + − + + − Acid, Cellobiose − − wk + − + Acid, Lactose − + + + + −Acid, Starch − + − + + − B. mycoides Alcaligenes faecalis B. mycoides B.cereus B. mycoides Test BT46-3 EE107 EE118 family member EE128 EE141Motility − + − − − Rhizoid Colony + − + − + Catalase + + + + + Oxidase− + − − − Nitrate + + + + + Growth, 5% NaCl + + − + − Growth, 7.5% NaCl− − − − − Growth, 42° C. + + − + − Growth, 50° C. − − − − − Growth, pH 5wk + − + − Growth, pH 9 wk + + + − Acid, Cellobiose + wk + − wk Acid,Lactose + + − + wk Acid, Starch + wk + + − wk = weak growth or lowgrowth

Example 10: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains onAlfalfa

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selectedstrains were spun down, media decanted off, and bacteria resuspended inan equal amount of distilled water. Ten ZEBA-coated alfalfa seeds wereplanted for each treatment at a depth of 0.6 cm in loam top soil(Columbia, Mo.) that was sieved to remove large debris. ZEBA is asuperabsorbent cornstarch based polymer used as a moisture-retentionseed coating. Seeds were inoculated at planting with 0.5 μl ofresuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. Ten ml of H₂O wassufficient to deliver the bacteria into the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³) of soil aswell as saturate the soil for proper germination of seeds. Plants weregrown at temperatures between 65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11 hours oflight/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3 days. Alfalfa was allowed togrow for 1 week to analyze emergence and initial outgrowth of plantsunder described conditions. Identified strains indicated by their properbacterial identifications and final height data are listed in Table 30.

TABLE 30 Avg. Height Bacterial Inoculant (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 4.82 — .008 B. aryabhanai CAP56 4.85 101.20% .016 B.nealsonii BOB A57 4.86 101.70% .021 E. cloacae CAP12 5.6 116.23% .020

Example 11: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains onCucumbers

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selectedstrains were spun down, media decanted off, and resuspended in equalamount of distilled water. Ten cucumber seeds were planted for eachtreatment at a depth of 1 cm in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that wassieved to remove large debris. Seeds were inoculated at planting with0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. Ten mlof H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteria into the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³)of soil as well as saturate the soil for proper germination of seeds.Plants were grown at temperatures between 65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3 days. Cucumbers wereallowed to grow for 2 weeks to analyze emergence and initial outgrowthof plants under described conditions. Identified strains indicated bytheir proper bacterial identifications and final height data are listedin Table 31.

TABLE 31 Avg. Height Bacterial Inoculant (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 11.23 — .067 B. aryabhanai CAP53 11.5 102.00% .023 B.aryabhanai CAP56 11.35 101.20% .035 B. nealsonii BOBA57 11.33 101.10%.014

Example 12: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains onYellow Squash

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selectedstrains were spun down, media decanted off, and resuspended in an equalamount of distilled water. Ten yellow squash seeds were planted for eachtreatment at a depth of 1 cm in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that wassieved to remove large debris. Seeds were inoculated at planting with0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. Ten mlof H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteria into the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³)of soil as well as saturate the soil for proper germination of seeds.Plants were grown at temperatures between 65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3 days. Squash wasallowed to grow for 2 weeks to analyze emergence and initial outgrowthof plants under described conditions. Identified strains indicated bytheir proper bacterial identifications, final height data, and finalleaf diameter (by span of the two leaves) data are listed in Table 32.

TABLE 32 Avg. Leaf Height Diameter Bacterial Inoculant (cm) ComparisonSEM (cm) Comparison Uninoculated 10.16 — .028 5.08 — B. aryabhattaiCAP53 11.75 115.60% .055 7.25 142.60% B. flexus BT054 11.88 116.90% .0176.36 125.20% Bacillus mycoides BT155 11.92 117.20% .051 6.33 124.60% B.aryabhattai CAP56 11.95 117.60% .027 6.33 124.60% B. nealsonii BOBA5711.89 117.00% .118 6.42 126.40% E. cloacae CAP12 11.42 112.30% .039 6.83134.40%

Example 13: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains onRyegrass

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selectedstrains were spun down, media decanted off, and resuspended in an equalamount of distilled water. Thirty ryegrass seeds were planted for eachtreatment at a depth of 0.3 cm in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that wassieved to remove large debris. Seeds were inoculated at planting with0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. Ten mlof H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteria into the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³)of soil as well as saturate the soil for proper germination of seeds.Plants were grown at temperatures between 65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3 days. Ryegrass wasallowed to grow for 1.5 weeks to analyze emergence and initial outgrowthof plants under described conditions. Identified strains indicated bytheir proper bacterial identifications and height data are listed inTable 33.

TABLE 33 Bacterial Inoculant Avg. Height (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 1.61 — .023 B. aryabhattai CAP53 2.01 124.70% .012 B.flexus BT054 2.21 137.30% .034 Bacillus mycoides BT155 2.29 142.20% .049B. aryabhattai CAP56 2.19 136.00% .009 B. nealsonii BOBA57 2.29 142.40%.045 E. cloacae CAP12 1.98 122.50% .015

Example 14: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains on Corn

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selectedstrains were spun down, media decanted off, and resuspended in an equalamount of distilled water. Ten corn seeds were planted for eachtreatment at a depth of 2.5 cm in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that wassieved to remove large debris. Seeds were inoculated at planting with0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. Ten mlof H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteria into the 3 in³ (49.16 cm³)of soil as well as saturate the soil for proper germination of seeds.Plants were grown at temperatures between 65-75° F. (18-24° C.) with 11hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3 days. Corn was allowedto grow for 2 weeks to analyze emergence and initial outgrowth of plantsunder described conditions. Identified strains indicated by their properbacterial identifications and final height data are listed in Table 34.

TABLE 34 Avg. Height Bacterial Inoculant (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 8.9 — .039 B. aryabhattai CAP53 11.01 123.60% .081 B.flexus BT054 9.96 112.00% .095 Bacillus mycoides 9.6 107.90% .041 strainBT155 B. aryabhattai CAP56 9.54 107.10% .088 B. nealsonii BOBA57 9.23103.70% .077

Example 15: Testing of Plant-Growth Promoting Bacterial Strains onSoybeans

The selected strains were grown in minimal media (KH₂PO₄ 3 g, Na₂HPO₄ 6g, NH₄Cl 1 g, NaCl 0.50 g, MgSO₄ 7H₂O 0.15 g, CaCl₂ 2H₂O 0.013 g, andglucose 1 g, per L dry weight, or for Bradyrhizobium or Rhizobium onyeast mannitol media). Overnight cultures (30° C.) of selected strainswere spun down, media decanted off, and resuspended in equal amount ofdistilled water. Ten soybean seeds were planted for each treatment at adepth of 2.5 cm in loam top soil (Columbia, Mo.) that was sieved toremove large debris. Seeds were inoculated at planting with 0.5 μl ofresuspended bacteria in water mixed into 10 ml of H₂O. When testing twobacterial strains, 0.5 μl of each resuspended bacteria was mixed into 10ml of H₂O. Ten ml of H₂O was sufficient to deliver the bacteria into the3 in³ (49.16 cm³) of soil as well as saturate the soil for propergermination of seeds. Plants were grown at temperatures between 65-75°F. (18-24° C.) with 11 hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every 3days. Soybeans were allowed to grow for 2 weeks to analyze emergence andinitial outgrowth of plants under described conditions. Identifiedstrains indicated by their proper bacterial identifications and finalheight data are listed in Table 35. Co-inoculation of bacteria strainsin the present invention with members of the Bradyrhizobium sp. orRhizobium sp. lead to an increase in plant growth compared to eitherinoculant alone.

TABLE 35 Avg. Height Bacterial Inoculant (cm) Comparison SEMUninoculated 13.94 — .089 B. aryabhattai CAP53 16.32 117.1% .146 B.flexus BT054 17.85 128.0% .177 Bacillus mycoides 18.93 135.8% .117strain BT155 B. aryabhattai CAP56 17.23 123.6% .133 B. aryabhattai CAP5316.32 117.1% .077 B. aryabhattai CAP53 16.72 119.9% .182 andBradyrhizobium sp. B. aryabhattai CAP53 17.32 124.2% .086 and Rhizobiumsp. Bradyrhizobium sp. 14.25 102.2% Rhizobium sp. 14.75 105.8%

Example 16: Bacillus cereus Family Members with Plant Growth PromotingAttributes

Bacillus mycoides strain BT155, Bacillus mycoides strain EE118, Bacillusmycoides strain EE141, Bacillus mycoides strain BT46-3, Bacillus cereusfamily member strain EE349, Bacillus thuringiensis strain BT013A, andBacillus megaterium strain EE281 were grown in Luria Bertani broth at37° C. and overnight cultures were spun down, media decanted off, andresuspended in equal amount of distilled water. Twenty corn seeds wereplanted for each treatment at a depth of 2.5 cm in loam top soil(Columbia, Mo.) that was sieved to remove large debris. Seeds wereinoculated at planting with 0.5 μl of resuspended bacteria in watermixed into 50 ml of H₂O. Fifty ml of H₂O was sufficient to deliver thebacteria into the 29 in³ (475.22 cm³) of soil as well as saturate thesoil for proper germination of seeds. Plants were grown at temperaturesbetween 65-72° F. with 13 hours of light/day, and 5 ml of watering every3 days. Seedlings were allowed to grow for 2 weeks to analyze emergenceand initial outgrowth of plants under described conditions. Identifiedstrains indicated by their proper bacterial identifications and finalheight data are listed in Table 36.

TABLE 36 Avg. Height, Bacterial Inoculant cm, Corn Percentage SEM, H₂OControl 11.41   100% .123 B. mycoides EE118 12.43 108.9% .207 B.mycoides EE141 12.84 112.5% .231 B. mycoides BT46-3 11.81 103.5% .089Bacillus thuringiensis 12.05 105.6% .148 BT013A Bacillus cereus 13.12114.9% .159 family member EE128 Bacillus mycoides BT155 12.85 112.6%.163 Bacillus megaterium EE281 11.99 105.1% .098

All plant-growth promoting bacteria tested had a beneficial effect oncorn height at two weeks under the described conditions. The Bacilluscereus family member EE128 strain had the greatest effect in this trial,giving a greater than at 14% boost in corn height.

Example 17: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization ofEndophytic Bacillus cereus Family Bacterial Strains

Bacillus cereus family member 349, discussed above in the immediatelypreceding example, was found to have the ability to grow endophytically.Several other Bacillus cereus family members that have the ability togrow endophytically were also identified: Bacillus cereus family memberEE439, Bacillus thuringiensis EE417, Bacillus cereus EE444, Bacillusthuringiensis EE319, Bacillus thuringiensis EE-B00184, Bacillus mycoidesEE-B00363, Bacillus pseudomycoides EE-B00366, and Bacillus cereus familymember EE-B00377.

To obtain these additional Bacillus cereus family members, commercialhybrid corn seed was planted in potting soil and allowed to grow. Thecorn seeds were coated with a fungicide and a biological inoculant.Plants were grown under artificial light for 14 hours a day and plantgrowth over a 14 day period was determined. Plants were watered everythree days over the course of the experiment. After 14 days, the plantswere extracted from the soil and washed to remove excess debris. Theplants were then inverted, exposed to 5% bleach for ten minutes, washedin water, exposed to hydrogen peroxide (10%) for ten minutes, washedagain in water, and the stalks split with a sterile razor blade. Thesplit halves of the stalks were placed face down onto nutrient agarplates for two hours. After two hours, the stalks were removed, and theagar plates incubated at 30° C. for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the plateswere examined for colony morphology, and Bacillus cereus family membercolonies found internal to the plant were toothpicked onto nutrientagar. These were then were grown overnight at 30° C. in brain heartinfusion broth, and spun down at 10,000×g for 5 minutes. The supernatantwas removed, and the pellet frozen overnight at −20° C. Chromosomal DNAwas then extracted from each clone, and the identity of each colonyverified by PCR using 16S rRNA primers and amplicons were sent for DNAsequencing and identification. The 16S rRNA sequences for these strainsare provided above in Table 17.

Example 18: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization ofAdditional Endophytic Bacterial Strains (Non-Bacillus cereus FamilyMembers)

The endophytic bacterial strains Bacillus megaterium EE385, Bacillus sp.EE387, Bacillus circulans EE388, Bacillus subtilis EE405, Lysinibacillusfusiformis EE442, Lysinibacillus spp. EE443, and Bacillus pumilusEE-B00143 were isolated from corn seedlings. Two week old corn seedlingswere first sterilized. The plants were extracted them from the soil andwashed to remove excess debris. The plants were then inverted, exposedto 5% bleach for ten minutes, washed in water, exposed to hydrogenperoxide (10%) for ten minutes, and washed again in water. The stalkswere then split with a sterile razor blade. The split halves of thestalks were placed face down onto nutrient agar plates for two hours.After two hours, the plant stems were removed from the plates, and theplates were then incubated at 30° C. for 48 hours. Bacilli colonies thatwere endophytic were selected for further analysis. These strains weregrown up in brain heart infusion broth overnight at 30° C., and thecultures subjected to extraction of DNA using a Qiagen Chromosomal DNAKit. The DNA was PCR amplified to obtain the 16S rRNA gene, which wassent for DNA sequencing. The resultant sequences were BLAST searchedusing the NCBI databases to establish the identity of the Bacillispecies. The 16S rRNA sequences are provided above in Table 17.

Example 19: Free ACC Deaminase on Corn, Greenhouse

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACC deaminase) was appliedin a foliar application as a spray to corn plants. Two amino acids ofD-cysteine desulfhydrase of Bacillus thuringiensis strain IS5056 (SEQ IDNO: 113) were mutated, resulting in a modest increase in ACC deaminase(1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) activity. In addition to itsD-cysteine desulfhydrase activity, the native D-cysteine desulfhydrasefrom Bacillus thuringiensis strain IS5056 has ample inherent ACCdeaminase activity. However, for purposes of the present Example andExample 20 below, the native D-cysteine desulfhydrase from Bacillusthuringiensis strain IS5056 (SEQ ID NO: 113) will be referred to as a“D-cysteine desulfhydrase.” Since the mutated version of the enzyme (SEQID NO: 114) has increased ACC deaminase activity, for purposes of thepresent examples, the mutated enzyme will be referred to as an “ACCdeaminase.” The sequences with the mutations are provided as SEQ ID NO:112 (nucleic acid) and SEQ ID NO: 114 (protein). In Table 2, the twoamino acid substitutions shown are in bold and underlined text. Thethreonine at position 290 of SEQ ID NO: 113 was substituted with aglutamic acid residue and serine residue at position 317 of SEQ ID NO:113 was substituted with a leucine residue using PCR mutagenesistechniques standard in the art. The genes encoding the D-cysteinedeaminase (SEQ ID NO: 111) and ACC deaminase (SEQ ID NO: 112) were thencloned into the Gram positive pBC vector (a miniaturized version of thenaturally occurring plasmid pBC16) under the control of a BclAsporulation promoter. The vectors were then transformed into Bacillusthuringiensis. After sporulation in minimal media, which releasescellular content, including the enzymes, all cells were removed throughfiltration and the remaining active enzyme fractions were applied toplants. ACC deaminase activity was quantified using a standarddinitrophenol hydrazine assay (Li et al., A colorimetric assay of1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) based on ninhydrin reaction forrapid screening of bacteria containing ACC deaminase, LETT APPL.MICROBIOL. 53(2):178-85 (2011).

The wild-type enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 113) and the enzyme with the two pointmutations (SEQ ID NO: 114) were provided as free enzymes using foliardelivery to 2-week-old corn (BECK'S 5828 YH, V2 to V3 stage ofdevelopment) and 4-week old soybean plants (BECK'S 297NR, V2 to V3 stageof development). BECK's 5828 YH corn contains HERCULEX (rootwormresistance and corn borer resistance traits), a glufosinate resistancetrait, and a glyphosate resistance trait. BECK'S 297NR soy contains anematode resistance trait (SCN-SB) and a glyphosate resistance trait.

Sixteen replicate plants per trial were individually treated usingfoliar applications of the D-cysteine desulfhydrase and the ACCdeaminase enzymes and compared to a surfactant-alone control (Control).Activities of the foliar applied D-cysteine desulfhydrase (SEQ ID NO:113) and the ACC deaminase (SEQ ID NO: 114) enzymes were standardized tothe same protein content and applied using consistent use rates asfoliar spray containing 0.1% non-ionic surfactant (NIS) (ALLIGARESURFACE, Alligare LLC), which was used for delivery of the enzymes tocorn and soy plants at a rate of 10 ml/plant. Activity of ACC deaminaseactivity is described herein as 1 mU equals 1 nmol product/mgprotein/hour at 30° C. The initial activity of the D-cysteinedesulfhydrase for this assay is 500 mU/ml, and the activity of the ACCdeaminase is 2,124 mU/ml. After dilution in to 10 ml/plant, the deliveryof the enzyme is at 2.5% volume with a final concentration of 12.5 mU/mlfinal activity per plant for D-cysteine desulfhydrase and 53.1 mU/ml forACC deaminase. The ALLIGARE SURFACE surfactant contains a blend ofalkylpolyoxethylene, glycol derivatives, humectant, and formulationaids.

Two weeks after the foliar application, roots were harvested from thecorn or soybean plants, rinsed with water, gently blotted dry to removeany excess water and the fresh root weight (grams) was determined. Thefresh root weight for each treatment was normalized to control plantstreated only with the vehicle containing only minimal media and the 0.1%non-ionic surfactant. Results are shown in Tables 37 and 38 below.

As is shown in Table 37, foliar application of ACC deaminase in cornresulted in a significant (approximately 12%) increase in fresh rootmass as compared to plants treated with non-ionic surfactant treatmentalone (*p value=0.015). By contrast, average fresh root mass from cornplants that received the D-cysteine desulfhydrase was comparable to thatof the control plants that received the surfactant only treatment.

In soybean plants (Table 38) treated with the D-cysteine desulfhydrase,there was a slight trend towards an increase in root mass 2 weeks afterfoliar application. By contrast, ACC deaminase-treated soybean plantsexhibited an average of a 12% increase in root mass over the control.

This study, looking at both the monocot corn and the dicot soybean,demonstrates that foliar application of ACC deaminase (and to a lesserextent, D-cysteine desulfhydrase) can directly lead to increases in rootmass of the foliar-treated plants over the control treatments.

TABLE 37 Average root mass for corn plants treated with a foliarapplication of ACC deaminase compared to control plants Average Percent(%) Change Root Mass in Root Mass Corn (grams fresh Standard NormalizedTreatment weight) deviation to Control Control 2.7  0.36 — D-cysteine2.54 0.43 94.1% desulfhydrase (wild-type) (SEQ ID NO: 113) ACC deaminase 3.02* 0.33 111.9% (with mutations) (SEQ ID NO: 114)

TABLE 38 Average root mass for soybean plants treated with a foliarapplication of ACC deaminase compared to control plants Average Percent(%) Change Root Mass in Root Mass Soybean (grams fresh StandardNormalized Treatment weight) deviation to Control Control 4.03 0.86 —D-cysteine 4.06 0.78 100.7% desulfhydrase (wild-type) (SEQ ID NO: 113)ACC deaminase 4.50 1.11 111.7% (with mutations) (SEQ ID NO: 114)

The ACC deaminase (SEQ ID NO: 114) was also applied as an in-furrow(soil-applied) treatment on rice to the area surrounding hybrid riceseed, which also resulted in increased plant growth. ACC deaminase (SEQID NO: 114) was were created and purified as described above, at theabove initial concentrations, and delivered at a rate of 8 fl oz/Ac(584.2 ml/hectare) of enzyme for every 2.5 gallons of water/Ac (23.4liters/hectare). 6.25 mU/ml final activity was created after dilution inwater for the D-cysteine desulfhydrase, and 52.1 mU/ml final activityfor ACC deaminase. Product was applied directly on top of the seed at arate of 1 ml per seed, and allowed to dry in the soil before the seedwas covered with loose soil. Results are shown in Table 39 below. Anaverage increased height for 2 trials (36 plants each) of approximately131%, normalized to the control, was observed for the in-furrowtreatment using the rice hybrid. This study demonstrates that exogenousin-furrow application of free enzyme ACC deaminase enzyme directlyimpacts plant growth and vigor by increasing plant height.

TABLE 39 ACC deaminase provided growth promoting properties to rice whenapplied as an in-furrow treatment Average Average Average Percent (%)Percent (%) Percent (%) Change Change Change Plant Height Plant HeightPlant Height (cm) (cm) (cm) Normalized to Normalized to Normalized toControl, Control, Control, Trial Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 1 & 2 ACCdeaminase 151.7% 110.0% 130.9% (with mutations) (SEQ ID NO: 114)Bacillus thuringiensis

Example 20: ACC Deaminase Free Enzyme Delays Fruit Ripening

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACC deaminase) degrades1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC), the natural precursor toethylene (C₂H₄), which stimulates and regulates fruit ripening. Ethyleneacts at trace levels throughout the life of a plant by stimulating orregulating the ripening of fruit, the opening of flowers, and theabscission or shredding of fruits and leaves. Ethylene is an importantnatural plant hormone, used in agriculture to force the ripening offruits (Lin et al., Recent advances in ethylene research, JOURNAL OFEXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 60: 3311-3336 (2009)). Ethylene-induced ripening ischaracterized by an accelerated color shift (accumulation of pigments)and is accompanied by a softening of both the outer skin or peel and theflesh area internal to the outer fruit layer. To determine whetherapplication of free ACC deaminase or D-cysteine sulfhydrase to fruit candelay fruit ripening, both enzymes were applied to unripened mangofruits.

ACC deaminase and D-cysteine sulfhydrase were characterized and had theactivities described in Example 19 above. The ACC deaminase sequencehaving two amino acid mutations described above in Example 19 (SEQ IDNO: 114) and the native the D-cysteine desulfhydrase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:113) were expressed and provided as free enzymes using the methodsdescribed above in Example 19. As noted above in Example 19, the nativeD-cysteine desulfhydrase enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 113) has both D-cysteinedesulfhydrase and ACC deaminase activity.

Unripened mango fruits (commercially available variety, Keitt) weretreated with the ACC deaminase or D-cysteine desulfhydrase enzymes andcompared to mango fruits that were treated with a water (control) or afiltrate-alone control without enzymes (expression strain without anyexpressed enzyme). Four fruits were used per treatment group. The outerlayer(s) of the mango fruit was completely wetted using 1 mL of the freeenzymes (equal to a final protein concentration of 10 μg/mL infiltrate). The estimated ACC deaminase enzyme activity for applicationto fruit at application for D-cysteine desulfhydrase for this assay was500 mU/ml, and the activity of the ACC deaminase was 2,124 mU/ml. Thetwo control treatments (filtrate or water alone) were also applied tomango fruits using 1 mL volumes. The mango fruits were then placed insealed plastic bags overnight. The next day, excess liquid was removedwith a paper towel and fruit was blotted dry. Dried mango fruits werethen placed in a sealed brown bag (separate bags used for differenttreatments) to enhance the ripening response for a period of 4 days. Theripening response was scored for softening and color change on a scaleof 1-5 with 1 being the least ripened (firm, green or no colorchange/shift) and 5 being the most ripened (softened, color shift fromgreen to yellow/pink in coloration) with varying degrees of ripening inbetween these low and high scores (2-4). The ripening responses for bothsoftening and color shift were then combined to result in a “totalripening response” on a scale of 1-10, which was used to judge theeffectiveness of the treatment.

Data are provided in Table 40 below and represent average scores for thefruits in each treatment group. Both ACC deaminase and D-cysteinedesulfhydrase applied as free enzyme treatments to mango fruit resultedin delayed ripening as compared to the water or filtrate alone controltreatments after 4 days. Free enzyme treatments of ACC deaminase orD-cysteine desulfhydrase resulted in similar effects in the overallripening response based on softening and color change when applied tomango. These results demonstrate that both types of enzymes may be usedas fruit wash/drench treatments to delay fruit ripening and may beuseful for application to other economically important fruits to preventaccelerated ripening or fruit losses from other stresses.

TABLE 40 ACC deaminase and D-cysteine desulfhydrase free enzymesresulted in delayed ripening in mango fruits Treatment Softening ColorShift Total Ripening Water (Control) 2 3 5 Filtrate (Control) 3 4 7 ACCdeaminase 2 2 4 D-cysteine desulfhydrase 2 2 4

Example 21: Glucanases and Phospholipases on Soybean Seed, Field

β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus; SEQ ID NO: 30), β-1,3-D-glucanase(Helix pomatia; SEQ ID NO: 126), phosphatidylinositol-specificphospholipase C (Bacillus cereus; SEQ ID NO:116), andphosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus; SEQ IDNO: 115) were applied as free enzymes to soybean seed (BECK'S 294 NR).Free enzymes were diluted in water to the concentrations (μU/seed ormU/seed) listed in Table 41 below. The unit (U) of the endoglucanase orphospholipase enzyme activity was determined by the amount of enzymethat is required to breakdown 1 μmol/min/mL of substrate (1 U=1 μmolsubstrate/min) at ideal temperature and conditions. Each seed receivedthe amount of enzyme solution required for the final activity for thetreatments (1 μL/seed) and was mixed with seed treatments metalaxyl andclothianidin. Seed was dried completely and then planted in the field toapproximate standard practices for planting depth and row spacing (1.5to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm) deep to ensure normal root development andon average 150,000 plants per acre (370,658 plants per hectare) with rowwidths of 30 inches (76.2 cm) and seed spacing of approximately 7 to 8seeds per foot (26 seeds per meter)). Fertilizer was applied asrecommended by soil tests. Herbicides were applied for weed control andsupplemented with cultivation when necessary.

Three replicate trials consisting of 600 seeds each were conducted.Soybean yield was measured at approximately six months after sowing andis reported in Table 41 below as the absolute change in bushels/acre(Bu/Ac) or metric tonnes/hectare (MT/ha) over control (water only) andas a percentage of yield normalized to the control. Applications ofendoglucanases or phospholipases (β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus),β-1,3-D-glucanase (Helix pomatia), phosphatidylinositol-specificphospholipase C (Bacillus cereus), and phosphatidylcholine-specificphospholipase C (Bacillus cereus)) as seed treatments all resulted inincreased yield compared to the control (water-treated) seed. Of theenzymes tested, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (Bacilluscereus) provided the greatest increase in yield over the control,resulting in a more than 8 Bu/Ac (more than 0.5 MT/ha) increase or a145% yield gain over the non-treated control seed (See Table 41).

TABLE 41 Glucanases and phospholipases applied as a seed treatment toincrease yield in soybean Absolute change in bushels/acre Yield (Bu/Ac)[MT/ha] (Normalized Enzyme over control to Seed Treatment Activity/Seed(+/−) Control) Water Control 0 μU/seed 0.00 100.00%   β-1,4-Endoglucanase 600 μU/seed +1.44 123% (Acidothermus) [+0.10 MT/ha]β-1,3-D-glucanase 600 μU/seed +5.22 123% (Helix pomatia) [0.35 MT/ha]Phosphatidylinositol 100 μU/seed +3.25 115% Phospholipase C [0.22 MT/ha](Bacillus cereus) Phosphatidylcholine 2.5 mU/seed +8.11 145%Phospholipase C [0.55 MT/ha] (Bacillus cereus)

Example 22: Free Phospholipases on Corn Seed, Greenhouse

Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PLC) from Bacillus cereus(SEQ ID NO: 115) was diluted in water to concentrations of 20 mU/seed to800 mU/seed activity (as listed in Table 42 below). The unit of PLCenzyme activity was determined by the amount of enzyme that is requiredto breakdown 1 μmol/min/mL of substrate (1 U=1 μmol substrate/min) atideal temperature and conditions.

Two replicate trials consisting of eighteen seeds each of a commercialhybrid (BECK'S 5828 YH corn were placed in 50 mL conical tubes. Eachconical tube was vortexed and 18 μL of enzyme solution was added to eachtube to achieve a final enzyme concentration of 20, 50, 100, 200, 400,600, or 800 mU activity of PLC applied per seed. The conical tubes werevortexed again for 20 seconds to gain an even coating on each seed.Seeds were dried for 5 minutes and then planted into 39.7 cm³ potscontaining top soil at a depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seeds per pot. Afterplanting, 50 mL of room temperature water was added to each pot to allowfor germination. The pots were kept in an artificial lighted growth roomreceiving a light level of approximately 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for a 13/11light/day cycle and a 21° C. day/15° C. night temperature range.

Plant height was averaged over 2 replicated trials using 18 plants pertrial per treatment group. The difference in plant height after seedtreatment using the PLC enzyme was normalized to the control plants thatreceived only a water treatment. Changes in plant height are representedin Table 42 as a percentage of the average plant height normalized tothe control and reported with the standard deviations (STDEV) for the 2trials. As can be seen in Table 42, PLC enzyme activities of 50 mU/seedto 600 mU/seed resulted in significant increases in height (cm) of cornplants when compared and normalized to the water (non-enzyme) treatedcontrol plants.

TABLE 42 Phospholipase C (PLC) applied as a seed treatment to corn topromote growth Percent Plant Percent Plant Percent Plant height heightheight (Normalized (Normalized (Normalized Seed to Control) to Control)to Control) Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 Average (STDEV) Control 100.0%100.0% 100% (2.07)  PLC 20 mU/seed  98.9%  96.6% 97.8% (1.70)  PLC 50mU/seed 113.7% 106.2% 110% (1.83) PLC 100 mU/seed 116.0% 100.5% 108.3%(1.59) PLC 200 mU/seed 112.1% 112.5% 112.3% (1.83) PLC 400 mU/seed106.2% 108.3% 107.3% (1.60) PLC 600 mU/seed  98.6% 106.7% 103.7% (1.80)PLC 800 mU/seed  99.7     89.4    94.6% (1.71)

In a second experiment, titrations of Phospholipase D required toachieve optimal growth were determined. Phospholipase D (PLD) fromAcidovorax avenae (SEQ ID NO: 117) was diluted in water toconcentrations of 20 mU/seed to 800 mU/seed. The unit of PLD enzymeactivity was determined by the amount of enzyme that is required tobreakdown 1 μmol/min/mL of substrate (1 U=1 μmol substrate/min) at idealtemperature and conditions. Two replicate trials were conducted using 18plants per trial per enzyme activity level. For each treatment group inboth trials, 18 seeds of a commercial corn hybrid (BECK'S 5828 YH) wereplaced in 50 mL conical tubes. Each conical tube was vortexed and 18 μLof enzyme solution was added to each tube to achieve a final enzymeconcentration of 20, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, or 800 mU per seed of PLD.The titrations of PLD ranging from 20 mU/seed to 800 mU/seed wereapplied to the corn seed using 1 μl volumes to determine the optimal PLDseed treatment to promote growth. The conical tubes were vortexed againfor 20 seconds to gain an even coating on each seed. Seeds were driedfor 5 minutes and then plated into 39.7 cm³ pots containing top soil ata depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seeds per pot. After planting, 50 mL of roomtemperature water was added to each pot to allow for germination. Thepots were kept in an artificial lighted growth room receiving a lightlevel of approximately 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for a 13/11 light/day cycle anda 21° C. day/15° C. night temperature range.

Plant height (in cm) was averaged over 2 replicated trials using 18plants per trial per treatment. The height of plants generated from PLDtreated seeds was normalized to control and represented as a percentageof the average plant height normalized to non-enzyme treated (water)control plants and is reported in Table 43 below with the standarddeviations (STDEV) for the 2 trials.

As can be seen in Table 43, phospholipase D applied to corn seed had apositive effect on plant growth at every enzyme activity level tested.In each instance, plants treated with PLD as a seed had an increasedheight compared to control plants.

TABLE 43 Phospholipase D (PLD) applied as a seed treatment to corn topromote growth Percent Plant Percent Plant Percent Plant height heightheight (Normalized (Normalized (Normalized to Control) to Control) toControl) Average Seed Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 (STDEV) Control 100.0%100.0% 100% (1.40)  PLD 20 mU/seed  97.5% 110.6% 104.1% (1.18)  PLD 50mU/seed 101.7% 104.4% 103.1% (0.92) PLD 100 mU/seed  99.6% 103.0% 101.3%(1.05) PLD 200 mU/seed 101.5% 104.1% 102.8% (1.03) PLD 400 mU/seed99.6.2%  106.2% 102.9% (1.14) PLD 600 mU/seed 103.1% 98.0% 100.6% (1.16)PLD 800 mU/seed 101.5% 102.0% 101.8% (0.89)

Example 23: Free Phospholipases and Xyloglucanases on Corn and Soybean,Foliar, Greenhouse

Free xyloglucanase (SEQ ID NO: 125; Paenibacillus sp.) and phospholipaseD (SEQ ID NO: 117; Acidovorax avenae) were applied as foliar treatmentsusing the enzyme concentrations as described in Table 44 (below) to 2week old hybrid corn (BECK'S 5828 YH) with 0.1% non-ionic surfactant(ALLIGARE SURFACE) using a spray bottle and delivering 10 ml/plant. Theaverage plant height was normalized to the control plants that receiveda foliar application of water plus surfactant alone. Both thexyloglucanase and phospholipase D treatments applied as a foliar sprayto corn plants resulted in increased plant height compared to thecontrol plants (Table 44). Xyloglucanase applied at a foliar use rateproviding 600 μU/ml and phospholipase D applied at a foliar use rateproviding 200 μU/ml to corn plants exhibited the greatest increases inplant growth resulting in increases of 106.5% and 111.1%, respectively,over the control plants.

TABLE 44 Foliar treatment of corn using xyloglucanase and phospholipaseD as free enzymes to promote growth in corn plants Average Percent (%)Change in Enzyme Plant Height as Activity Normalized Foliar TreatmentApplied to Control Water + Surfactant (control) —   100% Xyloglucanase(Paenibacillus sp.) +  600 μU/ml 106.5% Surfactant Xyloglucanase(Paenibacillus sp.) + 3000 μU/ml 103.1% Surfactant Phospholipase D(Acidovorax) +  200 μU/ml 111.1% Surfactant Phospholipase D(Acidovorax) + 1000 μU/ml 107.3% Surfactant

In another experiment, phospholipase D (PLD) from Acidovorax was appliedas a seed treatment to soybean seed (BECK'S 297NR) using 1 μL volumesequivalent to 600 mU/seed and 800 mU/seed final activities provided pereach seed (these activities were selected for testing in soy based onthe titrations described above in Example 22 for corn). The PLDactivities of 600 mU/seed and 800 mU/seed were applied as a seedtreatment to soybean seed and resulted in positive impacts on plantgrowth rate.

Treated seeds were planted in and allowed to grow in a greenhouse. Whenplants had reached the V2 to V3 stage of development, their totalbiomass, root biomass, and nodulation counts were measured. The V2 to V3stage is the earliest stage of development for nodule formation. Noduleinitiation begins in soybean seedlings as soon as root hairs are presenton primary or branch roots. Nitrogen fixation begins about 2 to 3 weeksafter initial rhizobial infection. Soybean plants had fully formed firsttrifoliate leaves at the V1 to V2 stage and were measured in the peakestimated for nitrogen fixation. Effective nodulation of soybean rootsresult in higher yields and higher quality seed production, protein, andoil per acre.

Two independent experiments were run (18 replicate plants per trial pertreatment group). Data from PLD-treated plants were normalized tocontrol plants grown from water-treated control seeds.

PLD applied as a seed treatment using 800 mU per soybean seed resultedin significant increases in both total biomass and root biomass ascompared to the plants grown from water-treated control seeds that didnot receive the PLD free enzyme (Table 45).

PLD treatment also increased nodulation counts on plant roots. Both ofthe seed treatments, with either 600 mU or 800 mU of PLD activity,resulted in nodulation increases compared to untreated controls, withthe 800 mU treatment almost doubling the number of nodules on the rootsof soybean plants.

TABLE 45 Biomass effects of phospholipase D treatment as a soybean seedtreatment Total Root Enzyme Biomass Biomass Nodulation Activity/(Normalized (Normalized (Normalized Seed Treatment Seed to control) toControl) to Control) Phospholipase D 600 101.7% 99.0% 121.4% AcidovoraxmU/seed Phospholipase D 800 115.7% 125.2% 201.9% Acidovorax mU/seed

Example 24: Free Enzymes on Corn, Field

Free xyloglucanase, xylanase, chitosanase, lichenase, xylosidase,protease, and lipase enzymes were diluted in water to the activitylevels listed in Table 46 below. Hybrid corn (BECK'S 5828 YH) seeds weretreated with 1 μL free enzyme solution per seed to achieve theactivities per seed (1 U=1 μmol substrate/min) as shown in Table 46below. Seeds were dried completely and planted in 4 replicate 24′ (7.3m) rows per treatment with seed spacing of 1.72 seeds/foot/row (5.64seeds/meter/row). Field seedbeds at each location were prepared usingconventional or conservation tillage methods for corn plantings.Herbicides were applied for weed control and supplemented withcultivation when necessary. Each trial was repeated 4 times. Seedtreatment was applied to all treatments, which included prothioconazole,penflufen, metalaxyl, and clothianidin.

After harvest, the absolute change in bushels per acre (Bu/Ac) or metrictonnes per hectare was measured for each free enzyme treatment andnormalized to the yield of the non-treated control (water) plants (Table46, below). Control corn seed averaged 162 Bu/Ac (10.17 MT/ha). Seedtreatments with lichenase, protease, or lipase resulted in the greatestincreases in corn yield over the control plants. Treatment withlichenase showed the greatest yield increases compared to control plantswith an average increase of 22 Bu/Ac (1.39 MT/ha), which equates to a114% increase when normalized to corn control plants.

TABLE 46 Yield increase using free enzymes applied on corn AbsoluteChange in bushels/acre (Bu/Ac) [MT/ha] Yield Seed Treatment: Enzyme overcontrol (Normalized Corn Activity/Seed (+/−) to Control) Water   0μU/seed — 100.00% Xyloglucanase 600 μU/seed +1.09 100.67% (Paenibacillussp.) [+0.07 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 125 β-xylanase (Bacillus 500 μU/seed −6.8495.78% stearothermophilus) [−0.43 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 25 Chitosanase 150μU/seed +7.57 104.67% (Streptomyces [+0.48 MT/ha] species N174) SEQ IDNO: 124_ Lichenase (Bacillus 600 μU/seed +22.17 113.67% subtillis)[+1.39 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 43 Protease A 360 μU/seed +14.64 109.02%(Aspergillus saitoi) [+0.92 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 127 Lipase (Burkholderia 20 μU/seed +9.50 105.85% cepacia) [+0.60 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 118

In a second experiment, free enzymes (endoglucanase, exoglucanase,chitosanase, protease, and phytase) were applied via foliar applicationto corn (BECK'S Hybrid 5140 HR) at 4 locations across the Midwest at theV5-V8 stage of development, which has the HERCULEX rootworm trait andglyphosate resistance traits. To allow for even coating of plant leaves,all enzyme treatments and the control were additionally treated with anon-ionic surfactant (ALLIGARE SURFACE) provided at a finalconcentration of 0.1%. Absolute change in bushels/acre (Bu/Ac) (andequivalent values in MT/ha) is reported over the control plants and alsoreported in yield as normalized to the control plants (“water/surfactantcontrol”) (Table 47). Results from the foliar treatments using freeenzymes are reported as the absolute yield Bu/Ac (or MT/ha) and theabsolute change in yield for the adjusted yields (Bu/Ac or MT/ha)normalized to the control plants comparison across the 4 replications(Table 47). There were positive yield increases in the enzyme-treated ascompared to the control (plants treated with water and surfactant only)plants. Phytase applied as a foliar treatment resulted in the greatestoverall increase in yield (˜24 Bu/Ac (˜1.51 MT/ha) absolute yield changeover control).

TABLE 47 Yield increase using free enzymes applied as a foliar treatmenton corn Absolute Yield Change Absolute (Bu/Ac) [MT/ha] Yield NormalizedTreatment Bu/Ac [MT/ha] to Control Water/Surfactant Control 177.42 —[11.14 MT/ha] β-1,4-endoglucanase 190.35 12.93 (Acidothermus) [11.95MT/ha] [0.81 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 30 β-1,3-exoglucanase 186.36 8.94(Aspergillis oryzae) [11.70 MT/ha] [0.56 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 41Chitosanase 204.77 27.34 (Streptomyces species N174) [12.85 MT/ha] [1.72MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 124 Protease A 189.35 12.29 (Aspergillus saitoi)[11.89 MT/ha] [0.77 MT/ha] SEQ ID NO: 127 Phytase 201.08 23.66 (Triticumaestivum) [12.62 MT/ha] [1.49 MT/ha] SEQ ID NOs: 132, 133, 134

Example 25: Lipases on Corn Seed, Greenhouse

An experiment was conducted to determine if lipases applied as a seedtreatment to corn also promoted plant growth. Lipase (Pseudomonasfluorescens; SEQ ID NO: 119) was diluted in water to concentrationswhich provided an activity of 3000 μU and 6000 μU lipase per seed.Lipase was applied using 3000 μU/seed and 6000 μU/seed of activity tocorn seed (BECK'S Corn Variety 5828 YH) using 1 μL of enzyme per seed toachieve the activities as reported per seed. Seeds were dried for 5minutes and then planted in 39.7 cm³ pots containing top soil at a depthof 2.54 cm, with 2 seeds per pot. After planting, 50 mL of roomtemperature water was added to each pot to allow for germination. Thepots were kept in an artificial lighted growth room receiving a lightlevel of approximately 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for a 13/11 light/day cycle anda 21° C. day/15° C. night temperature range. At the end of 2 weeks, whenthe plants had all reached the V2 to V3 stage of development, the heightof the corn plants treated with lipase were measured and normalized tothe height of the control plants that were seed treated with water only.

The experiment was replicated twice with 18 plants per treatment group(and 3 replicates per treatment group) and the values averaged acrossexperiments and are reported in Table 48 together with standarddeviations (STDEV). Lipase applied as a free enzyme using 3000 μU and6000 μU of activity per seed resulted in an average increase in plantheight of approximately 106% and 103% respectively.

TABLE 48 Height effects of lipase treatment as a corn seed treatmentPercent Plant Percent Plant Percent Plant height height height(Normalized (Normalized (Normalized to Control) to Control) to Control)Average Seed Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 (STDEV) Control (water) 100.0%100.0%   100% (1.80) Lipase (Pseudomonas) 107.6% 103.6% 105.6% (1.67)3000 μU/seed Lipase (Pseudomonas) 103.0% 101.8% 102.4% (1.54) 6000μU/seed

Example 26: Lipase or Phospholipase on Corn, Greenhouse In-Furrow

Lipase (Burkholderia cepacia) applied as an in-furrow treatment was usedto determine if application of lipase as a free enzyme to the areasurrounding a corn seed would result in early stage positive growthbenefits to a corn plant. Lipase enzyme (Burkholderia cepacia, SEQ IDNO:118) was diluted in water to the activity levels listed in Table 49below. Corn seeds (BECK'S 6626 RR) were planted into 39.7 cm³ potscontaining top soil at a depth of 2.54 cm, with 2 seeds per pot. Afterplanting but prior to covering the seed, 1 μL volumes of lipase enzymewith activities ranging from 2 μU to 200 μU were applied per in-furrowarea surrounding a seed. A subset of seeds were treated instead withβ-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus cellulolyticus; SEQ ID NO: 30) appliedat an activity of 1000 μU in furrow to the area surrounding the seed.The pots were kept in an artificial lighted growth room receiving alight level of approximately 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for a 13/11 light/daycycle and a 21° C. day/15° C. night temperature range. Afterapproximately two weeks, when the plants had reached the V2 to V3 stageof development, their height was measured and normalized to controlplants that received only water. Plants treated with lipase were furthercompared to those receiving β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus).

The experiment was repeated for a total of two trials (18 plants pertrial per treatment group). The average plant height for the treatmentsacross both trials, normalized to control is reported with standarddeviations (STDEV) (Table 49). Lipase applied using 20 μU per seed as anin-furrow treatment to corn resulted in the greatest increase in plantheight compared to the other lipase activities applied as in-furrowtreatments. The β-1,4-endoglucanase applied as a free enzyme treatmentin-furrow also resulted in positive changes in plant height and hadgrowth promoting effects reported on corn plants. Lipase applied at 20μU per area (per ml of volume in water) surrounding a seed wascomparable to the in-furrow treated seed that received theβ-1,4-endoglucanase.

TABLE 49 Titration of lipase and effect of β-1,4-Endoglucanase asapplied as an in-furrow treatment to the area surrounding a corn seed topromote growth Percent Plant height (Normalized to Control) Average SeedTreatment (STDEV) Control (Water)   100% (1.15) Lipase 2 μU/seed area100.5% (1.05) Lipase 5 μU/seed area  98.9% (1.35) Lipase 10 μU/seed area100.4% (1.15) Lipase 20 μU/seed area 103.9% (1.36) Lipase 50 μU/seedarea 100.1% (0.97) Lipase 200 μU/seed area 101.0% (1.14)β-1,4-Endoglucanase 1000 μU/seed area 103.8% (1.25)

In a second experiment, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase Cfrom Bacillus cereus (SEQ ID NO: 115) was applied with a fertilizer (SF)containing 12% ammoniacal nitrogen and 58% available phosphate (derivedfrom monoammonium phosphate) using direct in-furrow methods as describedabove to corn seed (BECK'S 5828 YH). The enzyme was applied at anapplication rate of 8 Fl oz/Ac (584.2 ml/hectare) or approximately 1200mU to the area surrounding a seed. This treatment resulted in an averageincrease in plant height averaged over 3 replicated trials of 105% asnormalized to the control which used water and the fertilizer treatmentalone. Results are shown in Table 50 below.

TABLE 50 Plant height using an in-furrow treatment using free enzymephospholipase C for corn Average percent change in plant height asnormalized to the Treatment control Water Control + SF 100%Phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus) + 105% SF

Example 27: Acid Phosphatase on Squash and Corn, in Furrow

The effects of acid phosphatase (alone or in combination with lipase,β-xylanase, pectoylase, mannanase, lichenase, or xylanase) on plantgrowth was tested. Free enzymes comprising acid phosphatase (Triticumaestivum, a mixture of two different isoforms with the sequencesprovided herein by SEQ ID NOs. 130 and 131, commercially available fromSigma-Aldrich, St. Louis Mo., as product number P3627), alone or incombination with lipase (Pseudomonas fluorescens, SEQ ID NO: 119),β-xylanase (Neocallimastix patriciarum, SEQ ID NO: 122), pectolyase(Aspergillus, SEQ ID NO: 129), mannanase (Bacillus sp., SEQ ID NO: 128),lichenase (Bacillus subtilis, SEQ ID NO: 43) or xylanase (Thermomyceslanuginosus, SEQ ID NO: 121) were applied at the activity levels listedin Table 51 using direct in-furrow applications to the area surroundingsquash seeds using the same methods as described above in Example 26(Ambassador hybrid squash, commercially available from Park Seed asproduct 05298). The enzyme treatments were provided to squash seedscontaining a seed treatment (Thiram) and provided together withfertilizer (SF) containing 12% ammoniacal nitrogen and 58% availablephosphate. The in-furrow enzyme and fertilizer alone treatments wereapplied using the application use rates listed as units of activity perml of volume in Table 51 below, and delivered at 1 ml per seed to thesoil around the seed. Plant height was determined for 2 trials with 18plants measured per each trial per treatment. Data are reported in Table51, below and provide the percent change in plant height for squashseeds receiving the in-furrow free enzyme treatment compared to thecontrol seed (fertilizer alone control). The acid phosphatase freeenzyme treatment alone exhibited on average a 49.6% increase in plantheight as compared to the control plants. Squash seed that received thefree enzyme in-furrow treatment comprising acid phosphatase combinedwith enzymes lipase, β-xylanase, pectolyase, mannanase, lichenase orxylanase had increased plant height compared to the water and fertilizertreated squash. In-furrow treatment using the acid phosphatase enzymealone resulted in the greatest average percent increase in overallgrowth as represented by the increase in plant height compared tocombining acid phosphatase with other enzymes (lipase, β-xylanase,pectolyase, mannanase, lichenase, or xylanase).

TABLE 51 Change in plant height with an in-furrow treatment for squashapplied using an application of acid phosphatase and free enzymesAverage: Percent Change in Plant Height compared In-Furrow Treatment toControl Squash (seed area = 1 ml/seed) Enzyme Activity (water & SFalone) Fertilizer (SF)/seed area — — Acid Phosphatase (AP) Triticum + SF35 μU (AP)/seed area +49.6% Acid Phosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35 μU (AP)+1 0 mU (LP)/seed area +28.1% Lipase (LP) Pseudomonas + SF AcidPhosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35 μU (AP) + 1500 mU (XL)/seed area +17.0%β-Xylanase (XL) Neocallimastix + SF Acid Phosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35μU (AP) + 30 mU (XL)/seed area +21.9% Pectolyase (PL) Aspergillus + SFAcid Phosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35 μU (AP) + 300 mU (MN)/seed area+18.3% Mannanase (MN) Bacillus + SF Acid Phosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35μU (AP) + 600 mU (LN)/seed area +14.1% Lichenase (LN) Bacillus + SF AcidPhosphatase (AP) Triticum + 35 μU (AP) + 1500 mU (XL)/seed area   +40%Xylanase (XL) Thermomyces + SF

In another experiment, free enzymes comprising acid phosphatase(Triticum aestivum, a mixture of two isoforms with the sequencesprovided herein by SEQ ID NOs. 130 and 131),phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus; SEQ IDNO: 115), or β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus cellulolyticus; SEQ IDNO: 30) were applied using direct in-furrow treatment to the areasurrounding hybrid corn seed (BECK'S 5828 YH) at the rates listed inTable 52 below. The in-furrow treatments were provided together with ahormone biostimulant (CYTOPLEX, commercially available from MillerChemical & Fertilizer, LLC) that contains a sea plant extract, kinetin,gibberellic acid and indole-3-butyric acid at 2 fl oz/Ac (146.2ml/hectare). Plant height was determined for 2 trials with 18 plantsmeasured in each trial per treatment group. The data, in Table 52 below,are reported as the percent change in plant height for corn seedsreceiving the in-furrow treatment using the free enzymes compared to thecontrol seeds (hormone biostimulant alone). The acid phosphatase freeenzyme treatment exhibited on average a 16% and 8% increase in plantheight as compared to the control plants for the 300 mU/ml and 600 mU/mluse rates, respectively, applied in-furrow per seed area. Plant heightin corn grown from in-furrow treated seed with phospholipase C andβ-1,4-endoglucanase also resulted in increases in plant height over theseed treated with the hormone biostimulant alone. The 300 mU/ml use rateapplied for each of the free enzymes: acid phosphatase, phospholipase Cand β-1,4-endoglucanase resulted in approximately 2-fold increases inplant height over the 600 mU/ml use rate applied in-furrow per seedarea. Each of the three enzymes combined with the hormone biostimulanttreatments had increased plant height over the hormone biostimulantalone controls.

TABLE 52 Changes in plant height using an in-furrow treatment for cornapplied using an application of acid phosphatase, phospholipase C andβ-1,4-endoglucanase in combination with a biostimulant Average: PercentChange in Plant Height compared to Control Corn with Use rate (seed area= no enzyme In-Furrow Treatment 1 ml volume per seed) application AcidPhosphatase (Triticum 300 mU/seed area  +16% aestivum) + BiostimulantAcid Phosphatase (Triticum 600 mU/seed area   +8% aestivum) +Biostimulant Phospholipase C (Bacillus 300 mU/seed area  +17% cereus) +Biostimulant Phospholipase C (Bacillus 600 mU/seed area +9.5% cereus) +Biostimulant β-1,4-Endoglucanase 300 mU/seed area  +16% (Acidothermus) +Biostimulant β-1,4-Endoglucanase 600 mU/seed area   +7% (Acidothermus) +Biostimulant

Free enzymes comprising acid phosphatase (Triticum aestivum, a mixtureof two different isoforms with the sequences provided herein by SEQ IDNOs. 130 and 131) or phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C(Bacillus cereus; SEQ ID NO: 115) were applied using direct in-furrowapplications to the area surrounding hybrid corn seed (BECK'S 5828 YH).In-furrow treatment with the enzymes was combined with a hormonebiostimulant (CYTOPLEX, commercially available from Miller Chemical &Fertilizer, LLC) treatment containing a sea plant extract, kinetin,gibberellic acid and indole-3-butyric acid. The in-furrow enzymetreatments were applied using application use rates of 2, 4 and 8 Fl. ozper seed area (59.14, 118.29, and 236.59 ml per seed area). Plant heightwas determined for 2 trials with 18 plants measured per each trial. Thedata are reported in Table 53 below as the percent change in plantheight for corn seeds receiving the in-furrow treatment using the acidphosphatase or phospholipase C enzymes compared to the control seeds(biostimulant alone). The acid phosphatase free enzyme treatmentincreased plant height as compared to the control plants for the userates of 2, 4 and 8 Fl. oz (59.14, 118.29, and 236.59 ml) applied perseed area (approximately 150 mU/ml, 300 mU/ml and 600 mU/ml per seedarea), with 4 Fl. oz (118.29 ml) resulting in an increase of 8.3% overthe control plants for the 300 mU/ml use rate. In furrow treatment ofcorn grown with phospholipase C resulted in increased plant heightcompared to corn grown using the biostimulant alone control when appliedusing 2 and 4 Fl. oz (59.14 and 118.29 ml) use rate per seed area(approximately equal to 150 and 300 mU per seed area, respectively). The4 Fl. oz (118.29 ml) use rate was preferable for plant growth, resultingin an 11.4% increase in plant height over the biostimulant alonecontrol. The biostimulant only control resulted in corn plants withslower growth rates as compared to treatment with water only.

TABLE 53 Changes in plant height using an in-furrow treatment for cornapplied using an application of acid phosphatase or phospholipase C,combined with a biostimulant Average: Percent Change in Plant Height Userate as over (seed area = 1 ml Control Corn In-Furrow Treatment volumeper seed) (water & BS alone) Water Control — — Biostimulant (BS) 2 Fl.oz/seed area  −4.9% (59.14 ml/seed area) Acid Phosphatase (Triticum 2Fl. oz/seed area  +2.3% aestivum) + Biostimulant (59.14 ml/seed area)Acid Phosphatase (Triticum 4 Fl. oz/seed area  +8.3% aestivum) +Biostimulant (118.29 ml/seed area) Acid Phosphatase (Triticum 8 Fl.oz/seed area  +5.5% aestivum) + Biostimulant (236.59 ml/seed area)Phospholipase C (Bacillus 2 Fl. oz/seed area  +5.5% cereus) +Biostimulant (59.14 ml/seed area) Phospholipase C (Bacillus 4 Fl.oz/seed area +11.4% cereus) + Biostimulant (118.29 ml/seed area)Phospholipase C (Bacillus 8 Fl. oz/seed area  −0.1% cereus) +Biostimulant (236.59 ml/seed area)

Example 28: Protease or Xylosidase on Corn, in Furrow

Protease A (Aspergillus saitoi; SEQ ID NO: 127) and xylosidase (Bacilluspumilus; SEQ ID NO: 123) were applied to corn as an in-furrow freeenzyme treatments, and effects on plant height and growth were examined.For both the protease A and xylosidase enzymes, similar methods wereused as described above in Example 26 for the lipase in-furrowtreatments with corn. In-furrow treatments (1 ml per seed) were appliedto the area surrounding the corn seed (BECK'S 5828 YH) after planting ofthe corn but before covering the seed with loose soil. In-furrowtreatments using protease A and xylosidase were delivered in 1 μLvolumes equivalent to 428 μU/seed area of activity for protease and 714μU/seed area (per ml) of activity for xylosidase. Both Protease A andxylosidase resulted in increased plant height when normalized to controlplants (water only treatment). Results are shown in Table 54 below.

TABLE 54 Plant height using an in-furrow treatment for corn treated withprotease A or xylosidase Percent change in plant height (NormalizedEnzyme to Control) Treatment Activity/ml Average Protease A (Aspergillussaitoi) 714 μU 108.4% Xylosidase (Bacillus pumilus) 428 μU 112.3%

Example 29: Xylanase or Xylosidase on Corn and Soybean Seed, Greenhouse

Free enzymes were applied as seed treatments to corn and soybean.Xylanases derived from Thermomyces lanuginosus (SEQ ID NO: 121) orNeocallimastix patriciarum (SEQ ID NO: 122) and xylosidase derived fromBacillus pumilus (SEQ ID NO: 123) were applied to corn (BECK'S 5828 NR)and soybean (BECK'S 297 NR) seeds in conical tubes using 2 μL volumesequivalent to activities of 600 μU per seed for the xylanases(Thermomyces lanuginosus; Neocallimastix patriciarum) and 714 μU perseed for the xylosidase (Bacillus pumilus). Two separate sets of cornand soybean seeds were treated with β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermuscellulolyticus; SEQ ID NO: 30) at 1000 μU activity/seed. Seeds wereallowed to dry after coating and planted in commercial topsoil asdescribed above in Example 1. At the end of 14 days, the average percentchange in plant height compared to water controls was determined for tworeplicated trials for corn and one trial for soybean with 12 plants pertrial. Changes in average plant height (cm) were compared to the controlplants as well as corn and soybean plants grown from seeds treated withβ-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermus) which resulted in an increase inplant growth when applied as a seed treatment to both corn and soybean.Average percent change in plant height as normalized to water controltreatments are reported in Table 55 below with the standard deviationfrom mean average (STDEV) for the 2 trials conducted in corn andsoybean.

Xylanases (Thermomyces lanuginosus; Neocallimastix patriciarum) appliedas a seed treatment to both corn and soybean seed at activities of 600μU/seed resulted in increased height in plants as compared to thecontrol plants. Xylanase (Thermomyces lanuginosus) treatment applied tocorn seed resulted in, on average, a 9% increase in plant height forcorn and an average 12% increase for soybean. β-xylanase (Neocallimastixpatriciarum) treatment applied to corn seed resulted in on average a 4%increase in plant height for corn. Xylosidase (Bacillus pumilus) appliedas a seed treatment to corn and soybean seed at 714 μU/seed resulted inan approximate 9-11% increase for both corn and soybean plants comparedto the control plants. Positive impact on plant height for the xylanaseand xylosidase treatments applied as free enzyme treatments to corn andsoybean seed was comparable or better than β-1,4-endoglucanase(Acidothermus) for both the corn and soybean plants. After two weeks,plant height was measured and normalized to plants that received onlyfertilizer treatment.

TABLE 55 Corn and soybean treated with endo-1,4-β-xylanase,endoglucanase, and xylosidase as seed treatments Corn: Soybean: AverageAverage Percent Percent change in change in Plant height plant height(Normalized (Normalized to Control) to Control) Seed Treatment (STDEV)(STDEV) Water Control 100% 100% Xylanase (Thermomyces lanuginosus)108.8% (1.39) 112.0% (1.31) β-xylanase 104.3% (1.42) 100.3% (0.37)(Neocallimastix patriciarum) Xylosidase (Bacillus pumilus) 108.7% (1.18)111.1% (1.32) β-1,4-Endoglucanase (Acidothermus) 109.6% (1.46) 104.0%(1.39)

Example 30: Free Enzymes and Titration of Activities for Seed Treatmentand In-Furrow Treatment on Corn and Soybean

Lichenase (Bacillus subtilis, commercially available from Megazyme asproduct E-LICHN; SEQ ID NO: 43), xyloglucanase (Paenibacillus species,commercially available from Megazyme, as product E-XEGP; SEQ ID NO:125), β-xylanase (Bacillus stearothermophilus, commercially availablefrom Megazyme as product E-XYNBS; SEQ ID NO: 25), mannanase (Bacillusspecies, commercially available from Megazyme as product E-BMABS; SEQ IDNO: 128), lipase (Burkholderia stearothermophilus, commerciallyavailable from Sigma-Aldrich, as product 534641; SEQ ID NO: 120),pectolyase (Aspergillus japonicus, commercially available fromSigma-Aldrich, as product P3026; SEQ ID NO: 129) and β-1,4-endoglucanase(Acidothermus cellulolyticus, commercially available from Sigma-Aldrich,as product E2164; SEQ ID NO: 30) were each diluted in water to achievethe activity levels as listed below in Table 56. Aliquots (1 μL) ofthese preparations were used to treat seeds in the experiments describedbelow in this example and in Example 31.

TABLE 56 Titrations of enzymes used to determine the optimal enzymeactivities as a seed treatment to corn and soybean seeds to promotegrowth in plants Titration Use Rate Enzyme Organism derived from (μUActivity) Water Control —   0 μU Lichenase Bacillus subtilis  400 μULichenase Bacillus subtilis  500 μU Lichenase Bacillus subtilis  600 μULichenase Bacillus subtilis  700 μU Lichenase Bacillus subtilis  800 μULichenase Bacillus subtilis  900 μU Xyloglucanase Paenibacillus species 500 μU Xyloglucanase Paenibacillus species  600 μU XyloglucanasePaenibacillus species 1500 μU Xyloglucanase Paenibacillus species 3000μU Xyloglucanase Paenibacillus species 4000 μU β-Xylanase Bacillusstearothermophilus  50 μU β-Xylanase Bacillus stearothermophilus  300 μUβ-Xylanase Bacillus stearothermophilus  500 μU β-Xylanase Bacillusstearothermophilus 1500 μU β-Xylanase Bacillus stearothermophilus 3000μU β-Xylanase Bacillus stearothermophilus 5000 μU Mannanase Bacillusspecies  60 μU Mannanase Bacillus species  300 μU Mannanase Bacillusspecies  600 μU Mannanase Bacillus species 1200 μU Mannanase Bacillusspecies 3000 μU Mannanase Bacillus species 6000 μU Lipase Burkholderiastearothermophilus   2 μU Lipase Burkholderia stearothermophilus   5 μULipase Burkholderia stearothermophilus  10 μU Lipase Burkholderiastearothermophilus  20 μU Lipase Burkholderia stearothermophilus  50 μULipase Burkholderia stearothermophilus  200 μU Pectolyase Aspergillusjaponicus  60 μU Pectolyase Aspergillus japonicus  300 μU PectolyaseAspergillus japonicus  600 μU Pectolyase Aspergillus japonicus 1200 μUPectolyase Aspergillus japonicus 3000 μU Pectolyase Aspergillusjaponicus 6000 μU β-1,4-endoglucanase Acidothermus cellulolyticus 1000μU

Titrations of the six free enzymes (lichenase, xyloglucanase, xylanase,mannanase, lipase, and pectolyase) were tested to determine optimalactivities that promote growth when used as a seed treatment on corn(BECK'S 5828 YH) and soybean (BECK'S 297 NR). Titration activities thatwere determined to be optimal for use as a seed treatment for the sixenzymes are listed in Table 57 below (listed as free enzyme activity perseed). Experiments were conducted under the same environmentalconditions in a controlled growth environment as described in Example29. Percent changes in average plant height were determined for the sixenzymes used as a seed treatment applied to corn or soybean seed (Table57, below). Average plant height for each of the six enzymes wasnormalized to that of plants grown from seed that received a watercontrol treatment and recorded as a percent change (Table 57).Additionally, the free enzymes treatments applied to corn seed includedand were compared to treatment with β-1,4-endoglucanase free enzymebecause this enzyme had previously been shown to promote growth whenapplied as a seed treatment on corn plants (see Examples 1-4, 7, 26, and29, above).

All six free enzymes (lichenase, xyloglucanase, β-xylanase, mannanase,lipase, and pectolyase), when used as a seed treatment at theiroptimized activity levels on corn and soybean, increased plant height ascompared to control plants grown from non-enzyme-treated seeds. Resultsare shown in Table 57 below. β-1,4-endoglucanase free enzyme applied tocorn seed resulted in an increase in plant height for corn as normalizedto the control plants. When both corn and soybean plant varieties wereconsidered, mannanase resulted in the largest increases in plant heightas normalized to the control plants (107% increase in corn and 110%increase in soybean).

TABLE 57 Height effects of free enzymes applied as a seed treatment tocorn and soybean plants Percent change in average corn plant height SeedTreatment: Corn (Normalized to Control) Water Control   100% Lichenase600 μU   102% Xyloglucanase 600 μU   101% β-xylanase 5000 μU   100%Mannanase 300 μU   107% Lipase 20 μU   100% Pectolyase 3000 μU   107%β-1,4-Endoglucanase 1000 μU   102% Percent change in average soybeanplant height Seed Treatment: Soybean (Normalized to Control) WaterControl   100% Lichenase 400 μU   103% Xyloglucanase 600 μU 113.2%β-xylanase 5000 μU 105.5% Mannanase 6000 μU 110.1% Lipase 200 μU 105.4%Pectolyase 300 μU 105.8%

Titrations of four of the same enzymes (lichenase, xyloglucanase,mannanase, and pectolyase, listed in Table 56 above) were performed todetermine optimal activities for use as an in-furrow treatment on corn(BECK'S 5828 YH) for promoting plant growth. Each enzyme titration wasoptimized for growth potential (Table 58) and was directly applied tothe area surrounding a seed using 1 ml of water per seed just prior tothe completion of planting and covering the seed with soil. Two weeksafter planting, plant height was measured and normalized to the heightof plants that received no enzyme treatment but instead received only awater control. This experiment was repeated in three trials with 18plants per trial and measurements were averaged across trials togenerate a percent change in average corn plant height (compared tocontrol). Data are reported in Table 58 for the four free enzymes:lichenase, xyloglucanase, mannanase, and pectolyase. Free enzymeslichenase, xyloglucanase, and pectoylase all increased corn as heightcompared to the water-only control when applied as in-furrow treatmentsto the area surrounding corn seeds.

TABLE 58 Height effects of free enzymes applied as an in-furrowtreatment surrounding corn seeds Percent change in average corn plantheight (Normalized In Furrow: Corn to Control) Water Control 100%Lichenase 900 μU/seed area 101% Xyloglucanase 500 μU/seed area 104%Mannanase 6000 μU/seed area  98% Pectolyase 300 μU/seed area 103%

Titrations of the same six free enzymes (lichenase, xyloglucanase,xylanase, mannanase, lipase, and pectolyase, listed above in Table 56)were performed to determine optimal activities for application as seedtreatments on soybean (BECK'S 297 NR). The activities (μU/seed) arereported for each enzyme in Table 59 below. Three trials with 18 plantsper trial were conducted and measured for changes in total biomass,shoot biomass, root biomass and nodulation. Experiments were conductedunder the same environmental conditions in a controlled growthenvironment as described in Example 6 above. In some experiments, anadditional group of seeds was treated with β-1,4-endoglucanase (1000μU/seed). Changes in total biomass, shoot biomass, root biomass andnodulation are reported in Table 59 below as percent (%) changes asnormalized to soybean seed that did not receive a treatment with freeenzyme (water-treated control).

TABLE 59 Free enzymes applied as a seed treatment for promoting growthin soybean plants Seed Treatment: Optimized Total Biomass EnzymeActivity (Normalized to Control) Lichenase 800 μU 112% Xyloglucanase3000 μU 103% β-xylanase 3000 μU 104% Mannanase 3000 μU 116% Lipase 2 μU111% Pectolyase 6000 μU 104% β-1,4-Endoglucanase 1000 μU 106% SeedTreatment: Optimized Shoot Biomass Enzyme Activity (Normalized toControl) Lichenase 400 μU 117% Xyloglucanase 1500 μU  98% β-xylanase5000 μU 101% Mannanase 3000 μU 121% Lipase 2 μU 117% Pectolyase 300 μU111% β-1,4-Endog1ucanase 1000 μU 109% Seed Treatment: Optimized RootBiomass Enzyme Activity (Normalized to Control) Lichenase 800 μU 123%Xyloglucanase 1500 μU 137% β-xylanase 3000 μU 107% Mannanase 600 μU 121%Lipase 2 μU  98% Pectolyase 1200 μU 102% β-1,4-Endoglucanase 1000 μU127% Seed Treatment: Optimized Nodulation Enzyme Activity (Normalized toControl) Lichenase 700 μU 469% Xyloglucanase 3000 μU 123% β-xylanase 300μU 121% Lipase 50 μU 114%

Example 31: Free Enzymes Used as a Seed Treatment to Increase Yield ofZucchini

The lichenase, xyloglucanase, xylanase, lipase free enzymes describedabove in Example 30 and β-1,4-endoglucanase (Acidothermuscellulolyticus, SEQ ID NO: 30) were applied as seed treatments at anoptimal rate as determined by a titration series and applied to zucchiniseeds (Spineless Beauty, commercially available from Park Seed) using 1μL volumes of the enzymes with the activities as reported in μU/seed(Table 60). Total yield of the free enzyme-treated seed with lichenase,xyloglucanase, xylanase, lipase and β-1,4-endoglucanase is reported inTable 60 as the total weight of zucchini fruit harvested, normalized tothe control, and is averaged for two harvests completed in the month ofAugust (Columbia, Mo.). Free enzyme treatments applied to zucchini seedusing lichenase (700 μU/seed), xylanase (3000 μU/seed), and lipase (50μU/seed) all showed positive yield increases compared to controltreatment. The increases in total harvestable yield for zucchini plantsusing the free enzyme seed treatments for lichenase, xylanase and lipaseshowed similar total yield advantages as β-1,4-Endoglucanase (1000μU/seed).

TABLE 60 Table: Zucchini yield after treatment of zucchini seeds withfree enzymes Total Yield as a percentage Treatment of Control Lichenase700 μU 113% Xyloglucanase 3000 μU  89% β-xylanase 300 μU 118% Lipase 50μU 130% β-1,4-Endoglucanase 1000 μU 132%

Example 32: Synergy of Multiple Enzymes on Corn, in Furrow

Mannanase (Bacillus sp.; SEQ ID NO: 128), xyloglucanase (Paenibacillussp., SEQ ID NO: 125), phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C(Bacillus cereus, SEQ ID NO: 115) and xylosidase (Bacillus pumilus; SEQID NO: 123) were applied to corn (BECK'S 5828 YH) as in-furrow freeenzyme treatments, and effects on plant height and growth were examined.Enzyme treatments, including combinations of enzymes, are described inTable 61. For all the free enzymes, similar methods were used asdescribed above in Example 26 for the lipase in-furrow treatments withcorn. Briefly, in-furrow treatments were applied to the area surroundingthe corn seed after planting of the corn but before covering the seedwith loose soil. Each treatment was applied in a volume of 1 ml perseed, which included both the enzyme(s) and a fertilizer containingorthopolyphosphate and potassium acetate. In-furrow treatments usingeach enzyme were delivered at rates of 300 mU/seed area of activity formannanase and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, 500 mU/seedarea for xyloglucanase, and 714 mU/seed area (per ml) of activity forxylosidase. The enzymes were delivered to seeds in volumes of 1 ml perseed area, containing both the enzyme(s) and the fertilizer. 54 seedswere used per treatment, divided among 3 replicates of 18 plants each.After about two weeks, plant heights were measured and normalized tocontrol plants treated with only fertilizer.

Results are shown in Table 61 below. Mannanase or xyloglucanase alonedid not result in significant height increases. Both phospholipase C andxylosidase applied alone led to an increase in plant height.Surprisingly, combinations of phospholipase C and either mannanase orxyloglucanase led to synergistic increases in plant height as comparedto either treatment alone. The combination of mannanase andxyloglucanase was also more efficacious than either enzyme alone.

TABLE 61 Plant height using an in-furrow treatment for corn treated withfree mannanase, xyloglucanase, xylosidase, phospholipase C, orcombinations thereof Average percent change in plant height (NormalizedTreatment Enzyme Activity/ml to Control) Fertilizer, 8 fl oz/Ac N/A  100% (584.622 ml/hectare) Fertilizer + Xylosidase (Bacillus) 714mU/seed area 105.1% Fertilizer + Mannanase (Bacillus) 300 mU/seed area100.4% Fertilizer + Xyloglucanase 500 mU/seed area  93.9%(Paenibacillus) Fertilizer + Phospholipase C 300 mU/seed area 108.8%(Bacillus) Fertilizer + Phospholipase C 300 mU/seed area (PLC) + 110.9%(PLC) + Xyloglucanase 500 mU/seed area (xyloglucanase) Fertilizer +Phospholipase C + 300 mU/seed area (PLC) + 110.6% Mannanase 300 mU/seedarea (mannanase) Fertilizer + Xyloglucanase + 500 mU/seed area(xyloglucanase) + 101.1% Mannanase 300 mU/seed area (mannanase)

Example 33: Additive Effects of Multiple Enzymes on Squash, in Furrow

Mannanase (Bacillus sp.; SEQ ID NO: 128), lichenase (Bacillus subtilis,SEQ ID NO: 43), acid phosphatase (Triticum aestivum, a mixture of twodifferent isoforms with the sequences provided herein by SEQ ID NOs. 130and 131), pectolyase (Aspergillus japonicus, SEQ ID NO:129), β-xylanase(Neocallismastix patriciarum, SEQ ID NO: 122), and β-xylanase (Bacillusstearothermophilius, SEQ ID NO: 25) were applied to Ambassador hybridsquash (commercially available from Park Seed as product 05298) asin-furrow free enzyme treatments, and effects on plant height and growthwere examined. For all the free enzymes, similar methods were used asdescribed above in Example 26 for the lipase in-furrow treatments withcorn. Briefly, in-furrow treatments were applied to the area surroundingthe squash seed after planting of the squash but before covering theseed with loose soil. Each treatment was applied in a volume of 1 ml perseed, which included both the enzyme(s) and a fertilizer containingmonoammonium phosphate). In-furrow treatments using each enzyme weredelivered at rates of 300 mU/seed area of activity for mannanase, 600mU/seed area for lichenase, 30 mU/seed area for pectolyase, 35 μU/seedarea for acid phosphatase, and 1500 mU/seed area for both β-xylanases.The enzymes were delivered to seeds in volumes of 1 ml per seed area,containing both the enzyme(s) and the fertilizer. After two weeks, plantheight was measured and normalized to plants that received onlyfertilizer treatment

Results are shown in Table 62 below. Acid phosphatase alone resulted inincreased height over the fertilizer alone control, and this effect wasslightly better when lichenase was applied together with the acidphosphatase. A large increase was seen when the fertilizer/acidphosphatase combination was further augmented with the pectolyase, themannanase, or either of the xylanases. These non-cellulolyticcarbohydrate hydrolases add significant plant height in combination withacid phosphatase as a soil delivered mechanism.

TABLE 62 Plant height using an in-furrow treatment for squash treatedwith free mannanase, xylanase, acid phosphatase, pectolyase, lichenase,or combinations thereof Average percent change in plant height(Normalized Treatment Enzyme Activity/ml to Control) Fertilizer, 8 floz/Ac N/A   100% (584.622 ml/hectare) Fertilizer + acid phosphatase(ACP)  35 μU/seed area 103.4% Fertilizer + acid phosphatase +  35μU/seed area (ACP) + 113.6% pectolyase  30 mU/seed area (pectolyase)Fertilizer + acid phosphatase +  35 μU/seed area (ACP) + 114.5%mannanase  300 mU/seed area (mannanase) Fertilizer + acid phosphatase + 35 μU/seed area (ACP) + 103.7% lichenase  600 mU/seed area (lichenase)Fertilizer + acid phosphatase +  35 μU/seed area (ACP) + 110.5%β-xylanase (Neocallismastix 1500 mU/seed area (xylanase) patriciarum)Fertilizer + acid phosphatase +  35 μU/seed area (ACP) + 115.1%β-xylanase (Bacillus 1500 mU/seed area (xylanase) stearothermophilus)

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above enzymes, recombinantorganisms, methods, and seeds, without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for stimulating plant growth and/orpromoting plant health comprising applying a free enzyme to a plantgrowth medium, a plant, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed,wherein the enzyme comprises an acid phosphatase.
 22. A method forstimulating plant growth and/or promoting plant health comprisingapplying two or more free enzymes to a plant growth medium, a plant, oran area surrounding a plant or a plant seed, wherein the enzymescomprise an acid phosphatase, and one or more enzymes selected from aphospholipase, a lipase, a xylanase, a xylosidase, a lactonase, achitosanase, a protease, a phytase, a mannanase, a pectinase, aglucanase, and an ACC deaminase. 23-59. (canceled)
 60. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the method comprises applying the enzyme to the plantgrowth medium.
 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the plant growthmedium comprises a fertilizer.
 62. The method of claim 60, wherein theplant growth medium consists essentially of a fertilizer.
 63. The methodof claim 21, wherein the method comprises applying the enzyme to theplant.
 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the method comprises applyingthe enzyme to roots of the plant. 65-172. (canceled)
 173. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the enzyme comprises: a crude cell extract containingthe enzyme; a partially purified enzyme; a substantially purifiedenzyme; or an enzyme that is immobilized on a matrix or support.174-227. (canceled)
 228. The method of claim 21, wherein applying theenzyme comprises an in-furrow treatment.
 229. The method of claim 21,wherein the acid phosphatase comprises an amino acid sequence having atleast 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or
 131. 230. The method of claim21, wherein the method further comprises applying a agrochemical. 231.The method of claim 21, wherein the applying the enzyme comprisesapplying a liquid solution comprising the enzyme.
 232. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the applying the enzyme comprises applying a powderagent comprising the enzyme.
 233. The method of claim 21, wherein theapplying the enzyme comprises applying a granular formulation comprisingthe enzyme.
 234. The method of claim 21, wherein the acid phosphatasecomprises an amino acid sequence having SEQ ID NO: 130 or
 131. 235. Themethod of claim 22, wherein: the phospholipase comprises an amino acidsequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 13-19and 115-117; the lipase comprises an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20-21 and 118-120; the mannanasecomprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ IDNO: 128; the pectinase comprises an amino acid sequence having at least80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 129; or the xylanase comprises an amino acidsequence having at least 80% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 22-25and 121-122.
 236. The method of claim 21, wherein the second free enzymecomprises the mannanase, and wherein the mannanase comprises an aminoacid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:
 128. 237. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the acid phosphatase comprises a Triticumaestivum acid phosphatase.
 238. The method of claim 22, wherein the acidphosphatase and the at least second enzyme are present insynergistically effective amounts.
 239. The method of claim 60, whereinthe method comprises applying the enzyme and applying a fertilizer tothe plant growth medium.
 240. The method of claim 239, wherein thefertilizer comprises urea, superphosphate, a chelated micronutrient, achelating agent, monoammonium phosphate, or diammonium phosphate. 241.The method of claim 239, wherein the fertilizer comprises a nitrogenstabilizer, a polymer, a microbe, or a microbial extract.
 242. Themethod of 22, wherein the method comprises applying the enzymes to theplant growth medium.
 243. The method of claim 242, wherein the plantgrowth medium comprises a fertilizer.
 244. The method of claim 242,wherein the plant growth medium consists essentially of a fertilizer.245. The method of claim 242, wherein the method comprises applying theenzymes and applying a fertilizer to the plant growth medium.
 246. Themethod of claim 245, wherein the fertilizer comprises urea,superphosphate, a chelated micronutrient, a chelating agent,monoammonium phosphate, or diammonium phosphate.
 247. The method ofclaim 245, wherein the fertilizer comprises a nitrogen stabilizer, apolymer, a microbe, or a microbial extract.
 248. The method of claim 22,wherein the method comprises applying the enzyme to roots of the plant.249. The method of claim 22, wherein the acid phosphatase comprises anamino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 130 or131.
 250. The method of claim 22, wherein applying the enzymes comprisesapplying a granular formulation comprising the enzymes.